Massive Peru mudslide destroys homes, kills at least seven

© AP/Andina, Carlos Lezema

In this photo provide by government's Andina news agency, rescue personnel work in the debris of a house destroyed by a mudslide caused by heavy rains in Chosica, Peru, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. According to authorities the mudslide blocked a major road to Lima, destroyed more than 60 homes and killed several residents.

A mud-heavy torrent has sent auto-sized rocks crashing into a highlands town along Peru's main east-west highway and national civil defense chief Carlos Castro says it killed at least seven people and destroyed 65 homes.

The central highway remained blocked by debris on Tuesday from the previous night's catastrophe.

Boulders loosed by two hours of heavy rains smashed through brick walls and floodwaters carried cars, animals and furniture through Chosica's streets.

© AP/Andina, Carlos Lezema

Televised images showed police breaking through the wall of one home to recover the bodies of 23-year-old Ana Marino and her 3-year-old son, Stefano. Mother was clutching child.

© Reuters/Mariana Bazo

A man stands inside his destroyed house after a massive landslide in Chosica, March 24, 2015.

Residents asked authorities to send heavy equipment to clear the wreckage.

A 1987 mudslide in Chosica killed 64 people.

Peru's weather service predicts heavy coastal rains through the rest of March.

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