Two strong earthquakes, registering a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter Scale, have struck an area near the Peru-Chile border.

Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from villages in southern Chile after a snowcapped volcano considered dormant for thousands of years erupted, sending minor earthquakes rippling through the region.

Peru was today rushing aid to its southern cities and towns after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake toppled homes and killed at least 71 people, leaving thousands too terrified to return home amid recurring aftershocks.

At least 47 people were killed as a powerful earthquake shook southern Peru, sending dozens of homes, churches and buildings tumbling to the ground.