A 5.5-magnitude earthquake in the Peruvian Andes killed at least six people and displaced 300 residents near the city of Sicaya.
A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Andes region of Peru on Saturday night, resulting in at least six deaths and more than 30 injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with the epicenter located near the city of Sicaya in the Huancayo province. The tremors caused significant structural damage, destroying several buildings including a local church and convent. Luis Vásquez, head of the local civil defence office, noted that the use of rustic adobe materials in the region contributed to the extent of the damage. Approximately 300 people have been displaced and are being provided with tents as rescue workers continue to clear rubble in the agricultural region of Chongo Bajo. Peru is situated in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a volcanic zone responsible for the majority of the world's seismic activity. While the exact number of missing persons remains unknown, the earthquake serves as a reminder of the country's frequent seismic activity, following a major 7.9-magnitude quake in 2007.