Authorities: 8 killed in quake in Peru

Authorities: 8 killed in quake in Peru

LIMA, Peru

A shallow, 4.9-magnitude earthquake killed at least eight people whose crudely constructed homes collapsed in a remote Andean village near Cuzco, a Peruvian civil defense official said Sunday.

The moderate quake struck Saturday night at a depth of just 5 miles (8 kilometers) and affected the village of Misca, as well as the nearby communities of Cusibamba Bajo, Cajay, Canopato, Mollejcato, Muyoc and Toray in the province of Paruro in Cuzco region.

Peruvian Civil Defense released a statement saying that 45 adobe-and-stone houses collapsed and 70 more homes were cracked and left uninhabitable by the earthquake.

“The population has lost everything,” said Humala after visiting the village.

Misca resident Alfredo Castilla, 29, told The Associated Press that “the only thing standing is the school, which was built with cement. Almost everything else is destroyed, including our only church,” a reference to the Santisima Trinidad church, which was built out of adobe and stone in the 18th century.

Carlos Castro of Civil Defense said that the death toll stood at eight.

22 police held after Mexico violence

ACAPULCO, Mexico

Authorities said Sunday that 22 local police have been arrested following the deaths of six people in the Mexican state of Guerrero.

Unidentified gunman and numerous officers were involved in several violent incidents that killed six people late Friday and early Saturday in Iguala, about 125 miles south of Mexico City.

State Attorney General Inaki Blanco Cabrera said that three students were killed in two separate incidents. Another three people died in an attack on a bus — a minor who belonged to a soccer team, a woman and the bus driver.

The violence began when police clashed with students from a teachers college who had seized three buses. Gunmen later fired shots on a highway, striking at least two taxis and a bus carrying a local soccer team.

Officials in Iguala appealed for calm until it becomes clear what transpired and National Human Rights Commission said that it had started an investigation.

Protests expand in Hong Kong

HONG KONG

Pro-democracy protests expanded in Hong Kong today, a day after demonstrators upset over Beijing’s decision to limit political reforms defied onslaughts of tear gas and appeals from Hong Kong’s top leader to go home.

And with rumors swirling, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying reassured the public that speculation that the Chinese army might intervene was untrue.

Violent assault ruled out in deaths of Utah family

SPRINGVILLE, Utah

Police say a preliminary autopsy has ruled out any violent assault in the deaths of five Utah family members, including three children.

Police said Sunday there was no evidence of stabbing or gunshot wounds or other visible injuries to the five found dead Saturday night in their home in Springville, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

The five were identified Sunday as 37-year-old Benjamin Strack, his 36-year-old wife, Kristi Strack, and three of their children, 14-year-old Benson, 12-year-old Emery and 11-year-old Zion.

Police Lt. Dave Caron says the cause of death has not been determined, and won’t be until an analysis of blood samples is concluded.

The medical examiner’s office provided no time frame for the release of results of laboratory testing.

Associated Press