Twin Earthquakes Kill At Least 6, Injure 21 in Peru; Hundreds Evacuated

At least six people were reportedly killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru’s central Junin region late on Saturday, triggering widespread damage and displacing hundreds of residents.

The tremors, measuring 5.1 and 3.7 in magnitude, hit mountainous communities about 300 kilometres east of Lima, according to Peru’s National Seismological Center. The first earthquake occurred at a depth of 24 kilometres, while the second struck shortly afterwards at a depth of 18 kilometres. Earlier estimates by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre had placed the stronger quake at magnitude 5.6.

According to reports, preliminary assessments by Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute revealed that 48 houses were destroyed and another 18 suffered damage. Authorities said nearly 300 people have been affected by the disaster, with temporary shelters and tents being set up for those displaced.

Many homes in the affected region are built from adobe, a traditional construction material that is particularly susceptible to earthquake damage.

Rescue teams and firefighters reached the area on Sunday morning to remove debris and continue search operations, amid concerns that additional victims could still be trapped under collapsed structures.

Why earthquakes are common in Peru

Peru is among the countries most vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone that encircles the Pacific Ocean and accounts for nearly 85 per cent of the world’s earthquakes.

The country’s frequent seismic activity is caused by the Nazca tectonic plate moving beneath the South American plate, a geological process known as subduction. As pressure builds between the two plates over time, it is periodically released in the form of earthquakes.

Because of its position in this highly active region, Peru regularly experiences earthquakes ranging from minor tremors to powerful quakes capable of causing extensive destruction and loss of life.