Peru earthquake damages buildings and causes power cuts

At least three people were injured and buildings sustained damage after an earthquake struck Peru, according to local officials. The tremor occurred near the small settlement of Aniso in the southern Ayacucho region on Thursday, registering a magnitude of 6.7 on the scale used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Peru’s defence minister, Rafael Belaunde, told regional media that 22 homes and six schools were damaged in the quake. Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, which lies on the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Thursday’s event marks the latest strong seismic episode to affect South America in recent months, following deadly quakes in Colombia and Venezuela. Belaunde, who has been actively coordinating the emergency response, said three individuals were wounded but none suffered serious injuries, a detail reported by the Peruvian newspaper El Comercio. The quake struck at approximately 13:00 local time (18:00 GMT) at a depth of 62 miles (100 kilometres), about 19 miles (31 kilometres) north‑west of Aniso, in a relatively remote part of the Andes highlands, according to USGS data. Damage was reported at ten health‑care facilities in Ayacucho and two in the neighbouring Cusco region, though services remained operational, Peru’s National Institute of Civil Defence stated. Around 9,000 properties lost electricity, and nine educational facilities sustained damage, the institute added. Tremors were felt across large swaths of the country, including the capital, Lima, roughly 300 miles (482 kilometres) from the epicentre. The Geophysical Institute of Peru measured the event at a magnitude of 7.2. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit Colombia on 10 August, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency; local authorities say the death toll now exceeds 300. Venezuela experienced twin quakes on 24 June, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 recorded just 39 seconds apart. Officials report that more than 6,000 people have died as a result.