At least eight people sustained injuries following a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of southern Peru overnight on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles), centered 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Atiquipa, approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) south of Lima, the capital.
Residents of Atiquipa reported feeling a strong and prolonged tremor that caused their beds to shake, as seen in social media posts. CCTV footage from Caraveli, a nearby town, captured the intense shaking of residential streets and people coming out of their homes.
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The earthquake’s effects were felt as far as Lima, where video footage showed lamps swaying inside houses. Authorities confirmed that eight people were injured in the incident: five received medical attention in hospitals in the Ica region, while three were treated for minor injuries in Arequipa, both located in southwestern Peru.
Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen stated that there have been no reported deaths from the earthquake. He reassured the public that preliminary reports indicate no fatalities, and authorities are assessing the impact on infrastructure.
The Peruvian Presidency affirmed that the government is actively monitoring the situation and evaluating potential damages. Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued an alert cautioning of potential tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 meters along some coastal areas in Peru. However, the alert was subsequently lifted as no tsunami threat persisted.
Peru lies along the boundary of the South American plate and the Nazca plate, making it prone to seismic activity due to tectonic interactions in the region.
