276 bodies retrieved from Peru inferno

Firefighters in Peru have retrieved 276 bodies from the rubble of a massive blaze sparked by a fireworks explosion.

There is little hope of finding more survivors in the damaged buildings in the capital Lima.

Rescue workers initially retrieved over 122 bodies and the rest were discovered as firefighters began digging in the rubble.

The death toll is expected to rise further as some multi-storey shopping complexes are still to be searched.

President Alejandro Toledo cut short a trip to the north of Peru to return to the capital. He declared tomorrow a national day of mourning and announced an immediate ban on the production and importation of fireworks.

Fireworks are popular in Peru during Christmas and New Year celebrations and are sold on streets through the capital during the season.

It is still unclear what caused the initial blast, which ripped through a fireworks shop.

Flames raced through the buildings as firefighters and volunteers dragged people from the burning structures.

The area was jammed with shoppers and street traders selling fireworks, which then also exploded as the fire swept down the streets, trapping many of the victims, who had nowhere to run.