Twelve days after an 8.1-magnitude eathquake rocked southern Peru, another smaller earthquake struck the region causing hundreds of already severely damaged homes to collapse, local officials said.

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.