A powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the southern Andes Mountains in Peru on Thursday, causing injuries and property damage across several regions. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the seismic event occurred at 1 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT), with its epicenter located 38 kilometers (24 miles) northwest of Upahuacho in the Parinacochas province of the Ayacucho region. The quake hit at a depth of 66 kilometers (41 miles).
Luis Vásquez, the head of Civil Defense, confirmed that at least two individuals were injured while attempting to evacuate their homes in Coracora, the provincial capital. Beyond the injuries, authorities reported structural damage to 22 homes, six health centers, and one school. These impacts were distributed across various districts in the Ayacucho and Cusco regions, specifically affecting the towns of Puquio, Pullo, Coracora, Upahuacho, San Pedro, and Pichari. Additionally, rockfalls were observed on hillsides in the vicinity of Coracora.
The tremors were felt extensively throughout southern Peru, including the regions of Ica, Arequipa, Huancavelica, Apurimac, and Cusco, and even reached the capital city of Lima. Despite the intensity of the event, the Peruvian Navy officially ruled out the threat of a tsunami. Peru is located within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent seismic activity. The country has a history of significant earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.9 event in 2007 that struck the Ica region, resulting in nearly 600 fatalities.
