Strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Peru, damaging homes and schools

A powerful 6.7‑magnitude earthquake struck southern Peru early Thursday, triggering reports of minor injuries among residents. Seismic monitoring indicated the event centered roughly 40 kilometres northwest of Upahuacho and approximately 800 kilometres from the capital Lima, originating at 13:00 local time at a depth of 99 kilometres according to the United States Geological Survey.

The seismic event marks a series of significant tremors in the region following a devastating double‑earthquake sequence in Venezuela on June 24, which claimed over 6,400 lives, and a severe quake in Colombia earlier this week that caused near‑300 deaths.

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Authorities in Peru confirmed that at least 22 residential structures, six schools, and twelve medical facilities sustained damage from the quake, prompting ongoing damage assessments.

The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) later revised the magnitude to 7.2 and noted a deeper focal plane at 108 kilometres.

Local population evacuated

Emergency response teams were dispatched to the Andean towns of Puquio and Coracora.

Footage circulated by Peruvian media depicted rocks and earth sliding toward hillsides near Coracora in the Ayacucho department, home to roughly 10,000 inhabitants.

“The community has organized its response; families have evacuated and taken refuge,” said Mayor Yony Odon during a phone interview with state television, expressing cautious optimism that structural damage remains limited.

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The National Institute of Civil Defence reported that the earthquake “was felt with moderate to strong intensity across several departments.” An additional 4.2‑magnitude aftershock was recorded at 16:30 local time, as the Instituto de Геofísica Perú (IGPF) noted.

The tremor also generated notices in Cusco, Arequipa, and even Lima, though with reduced intensity.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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