A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Peru's Andes region on Saturday evening, killing at least five people and injuring more than 20, according to local authorities. The quake has also displaced at least 300 residents.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the tremor occurred at 9:24 p.m. local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 1.24 miles west-southwest of Sicaya, a city in the Huancayo province, at a depth of 6.21 miles.
Peru's National Civil Defense Institute stated that the number of individuals still unaccounted for remains unknown. The earthquake caused significant damage to structures, with several buildings collapsing or sustaining severe structural compromise, including a local church and convent.
Images from local media depicted distressed relatives in Chongo Bajo, one of the areas most affected by the quake. Residents were seen huddled outside their damaged homes, and animals were found among the rubble. This region is a known agricultural area.
Peru lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area with frequent seismic activity. The country experienced a more severe earthquake in 2007, a magnitude 7.9 tremor that struck the Pisco province and resulted in nearly 600 fatalities.