The quake was one of the strongest in recent years
A strong earthquake lasting more than a minute has hit southern Peru, killing at least 31 people.
Civil defence officials said 17 people had died in the country's second city, Arequipa - 750 km south-east of Lima - while another 14 had been killed in Moquegua, 100km further south.
Correspondents say the number of casualties is expected to rise when contact is made with more remote rural areas.
The quake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, struck about 600km south-east of the Peruvian capital Lima at 1533 local time (2033 GMT) and sent residents fleeing from their homes in panic.
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