A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Peru's southern Ayacucho region on Thursday, injuring at least three people and damaging numerous buildings, including homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. The earthquake, which occurred near the small settlement of Aniso, also caused power outages affecting approximately 9,000 properties.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.7, while Peru's Geophysical Institute recorded it as 7.2. The seismic event occurred at a depth of 62 miles (100 kilometers) and was centered about 19 miles (31 kilometers) northwest of Aniso, in a remote part of the Andes mountain range. Tremors were felt across much of the country, including in the capital, Lima.
According to Peru's defense minister, Rafael Belaunde, 22 homes and six schools sustained damage. Nine educational facilities in total were damaged, and ten healthcare facilities in the Ayacucho region and two in the neighboring Cusco region also reported damage, though services remained operational. The three individuals injured reportedly did not suffer serious harm.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Peru, a nation situated along the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. This recent event follows a series of significant seismic activity in South America, including deadly earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela in recent months. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Colombia on August 10 prompted a state of emergency, and twin earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, resulted in over 6,000 fatalities.