CIP not damaged by major earthquake in Peru


A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck Peru on Wednesday, 15 August 2007 at 6.41 p.m. local time (23H41 GMT). The earthquake lasted more than two minutes. The quake was centered in the sea about 105 miles south of Lima. More tremors followed: a magnitude 5.8 quake occurred at 7:02 p.m. and magnitude 5.9 occurred at 7:19 p.m. 387 deaths and over 1,500 injured have so far been reported south of Lima, in the Ica, Chincha, Pisco and Cañete areas.

During the earthquake the public power supply to the CIP complex went off, but the back-up generator system immediately started.  Telephone lines were not operating for about six hours. Security staff checked the premises and did not identify immediate damage, except for small pieces of cement facing, a painting and a piece of ceramic falling. IT staff checked the network and found it functioning normally. At 2.00 p.m. on 16 August the public power supply had been re-established to parts of the campus, but generators were still supplying power to the Biodiversity Complex. Working activities are normal. The telephone network is still badly congested and communications are still difficult.

No injuries were reported amongst CIP staff, although the houses of several of their families living in the worst-hit areas collapsed. The Biodiversity Complex was unaffected and CIP's collection of germplasm remains secure. Subsequent inspection showed some cracks in a warehouse wall and collapsed bookshelves in the publications store room but no other damage.