LIMA, PERU — A preliminary earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck northern Peru on Sunday morning. It damaged some buildings and blocked several roads with rubble.
Although the earthquake was powerful, it was also relatively deep at 112 km (70 miles). This reduces the chance of casualties and damage.
The earthquake occurred at 5:52 AM (10:52 GMT). Its epicentre was located in the Amazon region, 42 km (26 miles) north-east of Barranca. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it had a magnitude of 7.
Mayor Walter Culqui reported that a part of a 16th-century church in La Jalca, Amazon, collapsed and that three people were slightly injured.
Many highways were blocked by fallen stones in Peru’s Amazonas and Cajamarca areas. The earthquake was felt almost 800 km (500 miles) away from Lima, the capital. Some people fled their homes in panic.
Partially damaged was also a church in Loja, Ecuador.
Peru is home to 85 percent of the planet’s seismic activity.
