A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Andes region of Peru on Sunday, killing at least five people. More than 20 people were injured and 300 people were rendered homeless. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was 2 kilometers west-south-west of Sicaya city of Huancayo province. It was at a depth of 10 kilometers from the ground.
Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute said in a statement that the total number of missing people was not yet known. Many buildings collapsed or were damaged, including local churches and convents.
Peru located in the Ring of Fire area
Luis Vasquez, head of the local civil defense office, told reporters that the use of adobe in construction in that Andean region caused greater impact and damage. Earthquakes occur frequently in Peru, because it is located in the Ring of Fire area of the Pacific Ocean.
animals seen under the debris
Pictures shown by local media showed the grief of relatives of victims in the farming area of Chongo Bajo, one of the hardest-hit areas. Here people were sitting covered with blankets outside the badly damaged houses. Animals were also seen under the debris.
600 people died
Hermenegilda Guamalato told a local radio that her house has been destroyed. She was looking for a place to live with her three children in the neighboring province of Huaycachi. In 2007, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Ica region of Pisco province, killing about 600 people.
Leave a Reply