In the middle of the night, an earthquake struck off the coast of Peru. The authorities issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted. There were injuries.
A severe earthquake shook the coast of Peru on Friday night. The US Geological Survey (USGS) gave the magnitude as 7.2. Peru’s Geophysical Institute (IGP) put the magnitude at 7.0. A tsunami warning for Peru’s coast was issued by the local marine authority. It was lifted hours later. According to the Peruvian Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred shortly after midnight (local time) at a depth of 42 kilometers in the Pacific, around 50 kilometers southeast of the coastal community of Yauca in South America. Several smaller aftershocks followed in the affected region of Arequipa.
There were reports of some structural damage, and nine people were slightly injured, according to the head of the National Institute for Civil Protection. The newspaper “El Comercio” reported 14 injuries. The strong quake alarmed residents and caused them to leave their homes, IGP chief Hernando Tavera told the radio station RPP. According to local media, the quake was also felt in the major cities of Ica and Lima.
Earthquakes occur frequently in Peru. The entire west coast of the American continent lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which is known for its high seismic activity.