A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude struck Peru on Sunday, resulting in one fatality and leaving 36 people injured, according to government officials.
The tremor hit shortly before noon local time and was centered approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Callao, a port city adjacent to the capital, Lima, as reported by the National Seismological Centre. The US Geological Survey provided a slightly different measurement, recording the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.6.
Officials confirmed that the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami warning for Peru's Pacific coastline.
Casualties and Damage
The National Police reported that one man lost his life in Lima when a wall collapsed onto his vehicle. The Emergency Operations Centre further confirmed that 36 individuals sustained injuries in the capital region.
President Dina Boluarte addressed the nation following the incident, urging citizens to remain calm and reassuring the public that no tsunami threat existed for the country's extensive Pacific coastline.
Local television network Latina broadcast footage showing landslides occurring in several parts of Lima in the aftermath of the quake.
Infrastructure Disruptions
The earthquake's impact extended to city services and scheduled events. A major football match in Lima was suspended due to the tremor, and subway services throughout the capital were temporarily halted as a precautionary measure.
Peru's Seismic History
Peru, home to approximately 34 million people, is situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone notorious for frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The country experiences more than 100 detectable earthquakes annually.
Prior to Sunday's event, the most recent major earthquake in Peru occurred in 2021 in the Amazon region, registering a magnitude of 7.5. That tremor injured 12 people and destroyed over 70 homes.
The nation's deadliest recorded earthquake took place in 1970 in the Ancash region, claiming nearly 67,000 lives.
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