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Quake hits southern Peru
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck southern Peru on Thursday, injuring three people and damaging at least 22 homes, six schools and 12 medical centres, according to preliminary assessments cited by France 24.
“A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck southern Peru on Thursday, injuring three people”
The quake hit at 1pm local time at a depth of 99 kilometres, with the epicentre located about 40 kilometres northwest of Upahuacho, and it was also felt in Lima and several other parts of the country, the France 24 report said.
Peru’s Geophysical Institute (IGP) put the magnitude at 7.2 and said the quake occurred at a depth of 108 kilometres, while the National Institute of Civil Defence wrote on X that the earthquake was "felt with moderate to strong intensity in several departments."
Emergency teams were deployed to the Andean towns of Puquio and Coracora, and Coracora mayor Yony Odon told state television, "The population has responded. They evacuated and took shelter," as rocks and earth tumbled down hills around Coracora in the Ayacucho region.
Officials cite no major harm
In the BBC report, the earthquake occurred near the small settlement of Aniso in the southern Ayacucho region, with the US Geological Survey putting the magnitude at 6.7 and local officials saying at least three people were injured and buildings were damaged.
Peru’s defence minister Rafael Belaunde said 22 homes and six schools were damaged, and the BBC said Belaunde reported three people had been hurt but did not suffer serious injuries, citing Peruvian newspaper El Comercio.
The BBC also said damage was reported at 10 healthcare facilities in the Ayacucho region and two were damaged in the neighbouring Cusco region, while Peru’s National Institute of Civil Defence said services remained operational.
Reuters later quoted the head of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), Hernando Tavera, saying the depth of the quake prevented major damage and telling local radio station RPP, "The population went out to the streets out of concern, but there is no impact."
Aftershocks and regional context
The New York Times reported that subsequent quakes had been reported in the same area, describing them as aftershocks that can occur days, weeks or even years after the first earthquake.
“Subsequent quakes have been reported in the same area”
The New York Times also said the head of Peru’s Geophysical Institute reported people ran into the streets when the quake struck, while an official at Peru’s civil defense agency said the area near the epicentre is sparsely populated and that it might take some time to reach people there.
Reuters framed the event within Peru’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and said the quake struck at a depth of 99 kilometres with the epicentre 31 kilometres northwest of Aniso in the Andes Mountains.
Reuters also reported that the IGP initially said the magnitude of the quake was 7.2 and quoted Hernando Tavera on RPP about the lack of immediate impact, while noting that the region has seen recent earthquake activity in other South American countries.