Strong earthquake shakes Peru's southern Andes; no immediate reports of damage or casualties, no tsunami threat

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.7 magnitude struck Peru's southern Andes on Thursday, with the US Geological Survey (USGS) reporting the epicenter located 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho at a depth of 66.7 kilometers.¹

The quake, which occurred at 1 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT), was felt across several regions, including Ica and Arequipa, and even as far away as the capital, Lima.²

According to the National Institute of Civil Defense, the earthquake was felt with moderate to strong intensity in various departments.³⁴

Images from Peruvian media showed rocks and earth tumbling down hills around Coracora, the closest significant town to the epicenter, which has a population of about 10,000.

Coracora's mayor, Yony Odon, reported that the population responded promptly, evacuating and taking shelter.

Luis Vasquez, head of Civil Defense, confirmed to local radio that “no damage of any kind has been reported so far.” The Peruvian Navy also assured that there was no threat of a tsunami following the quake.

The earthquake's depth and location contributed to the lack of immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, allowing local authorities to focus on ensuring public safety and monitoring the situation closely.

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Magnitude 6.7 earthquake shakes Peru’s southern Andes, no immediate damages reported