14:47 | Huaraz (Ancash region), May. 31.
A united country can overcome any challenge that nature poses with the support of its authorities, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said on Sunday as
he commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1970 earthquake in Yungay city (Ancash region).
"Faith, optimism, commitment, union, and solidarity are the virtues that will allow us to move forward," he expressed.
According to the Head of State, this was the most destructive earthquake in the history of Peru, not only because of its magnitude but because of the number of deaths, which affected Ancash region and various areas along the country's northern coast and highlands.
Mr. Vizcarra noted that the country must adapt to the conditions imposed by nature and learn from past lessons, otherwise there will be damage and death again in the future because vulnerabilities will always exist.
"The 1970 earthquake gave Ancash, Peru, and the world a great lesson that we must take into account in order to avoid similar situations in the future," he stated.
The President said he was seven years old when this occurred and claimed he remembers the earthquake's impact on the country, which is comparable to the shock we are experiencing now due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Today, after nearly three months battling the viral disease of COVID-19, the death toll has unfortunately increased to (almost) 5,000. On May 31, 1970, more than 70,000 lives were lost in three minutes," he lamented.
(END) FHG/RMB
Published: 5/31/2020