An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 struck the southern Andes Mountains of Peru, causing injuries to two individuals and significant damage to residences, medical facilities, and schools, as confirmed by officials. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the seismic event occurred at 1 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho, a city in the Parinacochas province within the Ayacucho region, at a depth of 66 kilometers.
The tremor was felt across various regions in southern Peru, including Ica, Arequipa, Huancavelica, Apurimac, Cusco, and even the capital city, Lima. Civil Defence chief Luis Vasquez informed the media that two individuals sustained injuries while trying to evacuate their homes during the quake in Coracora, the provincial capital of Parinacochas.
Reports from authorities indicated damages to 22 residences, six medical centers, and a school in multiple districts spanning Ayacucho and Cusco, encompassing localities like Puquio, Pullo, Coracora, Upahuacho, San Pedro, and Pichari. Peru experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for regular earthquakes.
Notably, Peru faced a devastating magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 2007 in the Ica region, resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 600 lives.