Another earthquake rattles Peru

Some buildings already damaged by recent tremors collapsed in Peru Saturday as the country was shaken by the third earthquake in three days.

No serious injuries were reported, but several homes were destroyed. With the horror of last month's massive quake still fresh in their minds, many residents rushed into the streets terrified.

Saturday's quake, which struck just before dawn, had a magnitude of 7.2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado.

The epicentre was near the town of Ocona, about 600 kilometres southeast of the capital, Lima. It was also felt in northern Chile.

A quake with a magnitude of 5.0 rumbled through the same region on Friday, setting off landslides. A slightly more powerful one hit on Thursday. Seismologists think they are actually massive aftershocks.

• FROM JUNE 24, 2001: Aftershocks rattle Peru, quake rescue hampered

Two weeks ago, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 killed at least 75 people in Peru. Tens of thousands were left homeless. More than $50 million in aid has been promised by governments in North America and Europe.