Strong 6.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Peru

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - A powerful earthquake struck southern Peru on Thursday, injuring at least three people and damaging homes, schools and medical facilities as emergency teams moved into affected Andean communities, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) and US and Peruvian seismic authorities.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.7, with its epicenter around 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Upahuacho, nearly 800 kilometers from Lima. The quake struck at about 1 p.m. local time at a depth of approximately 99 kilometers.

Peru's Geophysical Institute (IGP) recorded the earthquake at a stronger magnitude of 7.2 and placed its depth at 108 kilometers, highlighting an early discrepancy between the two monitoring agencies.

Preliminary assessments cited by US seismologists indicated that at least 22 homes, six schools and 12 medical centers had been affected. Authorities said damage assessments were continuing across the region.

Three people suffered minor injuries, according to the preliminary reports, while no major death toll had been reported as emergency services surveyed the affected areas.

The strongest impacts were reported around Coracora and Puquio in the Ayacucho region. Emergency teams were deployed to the two Andean towns to inspect infrastructure and assist residents.

Images carried by Peruvian media showed rocks and earth tumbling down hillsides around Coracora, the town closest to the epicenter. The community has a population of roughly 10,000 people.

Coracora Mayor Yony Odon told state television that residents quickly evacuated buildings and sought shelter.

"The population has responded. They evacuated and took shelter," Odon said, adding that he hoped the town had escaped serious damage.

Peru's National Institute of Civil Defense said the earthquake was felt with moderate to strong intensity in several parts of the country.

The tremor was also felt in Cusco, Arequipa and Lima, although with significantly weaker intensity, according to AFP journalists.

An aftershock measuring 4.2 was recorded at around 4:30 p.m. local time, the IGP said, underscoring the continuing seismic activity following the main shock.

Peru is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most active earthquake zones, and frequently experiences significant seismic events. The latest tremor comes amid a period of heightened seismic activity elsewhere in the region.

AFP noted that two major earthquakes have struck South America since June. A series of earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24 resulted in more than 6,400 deaths, according to the supplied report, while a powerful earthquake in Colombia last week left nearly 300 people dead.

Authorities in Peru have urged residents to remain alert as assessments continue and aftershocks remain possible.

The depth of Thursday's earthquake may have reduced the immediate surface impact compared with a similarly powerful shallow quake, but officials are still examining roads, public buildings and other infrastructure for structural damage.

For communities in the remote Andes, the aftermath presents additional challenges because mountainous terrain can complicate access for emergency teams and make landslides particularly dangerous.

The extent of the damage will become clearer as authorities complete inspections and reach isolated areas affected by the earthquake.