South America: At least five dead after earthquake in Peru

After the heavy one earthquake At least five people have died in central Peru. In addition, at least 21 people were injured, as the Peruvian broadcaster RPP reported, citing the head of the civil protection authority. The Junín region in the central highlands of the Andean country is particularly affected.

Peru’s Geophysical Institute (IGP) gave the magnitude of the quake at 5.1, while the US Earthquake Observatory gave it a magnitude of 5.5. According to the IGP, the tremor occurred at around 9:24 p.m. local time (4:24 a.m. CEST) at a depth of 24 kilometers south of the town of Chupaca in the province of the same name.

Multiple aftershocks – dozens of houses destroyed

According to the regional government, around 49 houses were destroyed and around 200 people were left homeless in the town of Pumpunya. The Ministry of Health set up a mobile medical care point and relocated a field hospital to the disaster area. According to the Geophysical Institute, twelve aftershocks have been registered so far.

In the Andean country, the earth trembles repeatedly because several crustal plates collide in the region. Peru like its neighboring countries Chile and Ecuador lie on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the most seismically active zone on earth.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:260719-930-408767/1