A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the southern Andes Mountains in Peru on Thursday, causing injuries and property damage. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the tremor at 1 p.m. local time, identifying the epicenter roughly 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho in the Ayacucho region.
Local officials confirmed that at least two people sustained injuries while evacuating their homes in Coracora. The seismic event caused structural damage to 22 homes, six health centers, and a local school across several districts in the Ayacucho and Cusco regions. Residents reported the shaking as far away as Lima, Arequipa, and Huancavelica.
Civil Defense head Luis Vásquez stated that crews are monitoring the area for rockfalls near Coracora. The Peruvian Navy performed an assessment of the coastline and ruled out any risk of a tsunami. Emergency teams remain active as they evaluate the full scope of the impact on infrastructure in these remote mountainous communities.
Peru sits directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which explains the frequent seismic activity in the country. This region remains prone to significant earthquakes that require constant monitoring and preparation from local authorities.