A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Peru’s central Junín region late on Saturday night, killing five people, injuring 32 others, and affecting around 200 residents, according to Peruvian authorities.
The earthquake hit at around 9:20 p.m. local time, with its epicentre in the Andean province of Chupaca. An aftershock followed about 15 minutes later, prompting emergency teams to intensify rescue and damage assessment operations.
Homes Damaged, Hospitals Affected
Authorities said the tremors were felt with light to moderate intensity across the Junín region. Initial reports indicate that 48 houses collapsed, while several health facilities, including the Regional Maternal and Children’s Hospital El Carmen, sustained structural damage. Cracks were reported in the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, while the Daniel Alcides Carrión National Hospital and the Chupuro Health Centre also suffered damage.
Power outages affected more than 61,000 electricity consumers immediately after the quake. By Sunday, electricity had been restored to most areas, though over 400 customers were still without power.
Police, Firefighters and Army Deployed
The Interior Ministry said more than 250 police personnel, 50 volunteer firefighters, and army teams were deployed to carry out search and rescue operations, assist affected families, and secure damaged buildings.
President-elect Keiko Fujimori expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and called for all available government resources to be mobilised for relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Series of Earthquakes Shake the Region
The Peru earthquake comes amid a series of seismic events across the region. Venezuela is continuing recovery efforts after a devastating earthquake in late June, while Mexico’s Chiapas state was struck by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Friday, causing structural damage and triggering tsunami warnings, though no large-scale casualties were reported.