Peru earthquake leaves three injured and buildings damaged
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Ayacucho region on Thursday, the US Geological Survey says.
A recent earthquake in Peru resulted in three injuries and structural damage to buildings, according to local authorities.
The seismic event, which registered a magnitude of 6.7 according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), struck on Thursday near Aniso, a small community in the southern Ayacucho region. Dust was observed in the air in Pausa, Peru, approximately 46 miles (74km) from the earthquake's epicenter.
Peruvian Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde reported that 22 residences and six schools sustained damage, as per local media accounts. Belaunde, who is assisting with emergency coordination, confirmed that three individuals suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Peruvian newspaper El Comercio.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 13:00 local time (18:00 GMT) at a depth of 62 miles (100km). Its location was about 19 miles (31km) north-west of Aniso, in a somewhat isolated area of the Andes mountain range, as indicated by USGS data.
Peru's National Institute of Civil Defence stated that 10 healthcare facilities in the Ayacucho region and two in the adjacent Cusco region reported damage, though services continued to operate. Additionally, around 9,000 properties experienced power outages, and nine educational institutions were damaged.
Tremors from the earthquake were reportedly felt across significant portions of the country, including in the capital city of Lima, located approximately 300 miles (482km) away. The Geophysical Institute of Peru measured the earthquake's magnitude at 7.2.
Peru is situated at the convergence of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. This latest event follows other powerful seismic activity in South America in recent months, including deadly earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela. On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia led to a declared state of emergency and has resulted in over 300 fatalities, according to local authorities. Venezuela experienced two earthquakes on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart, and local officials report more than 6,000 deaths.