6.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Peru, Leaves One Dead and Several Injured
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Peru on Sunday, leaving one dead and several injured in Lima. The tremor, which triggered landslides, did not prompt a tsunami warning. Peru’s history of seismic activity highlights the ongoing risk to the region.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Peru just before noon on Sunday, causing significant disruption and damage. The epicenter was reported to be located approximately 30 kilometers (or 20 miles) from Callao, which is close to the capital city of Lima. Interestingly, while Peru’s National Seismological Center reported the quake at 6.1, the US Geological Survey measured it at a slightly lower magnitude of 5.6.
Regrettably, the tremor resulted in at least one fatality. A man lost his life in Lima when a wall fell onto his car, according to police reports. Additionally, the earthquake triggered landslides across various sectors of the capital, as illustrated by footage broadcasted on a local news channel, Latina.
In better news, authorities have officially stated that there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake. However, the quake did prompt the suspension of a significant football match that was being held in Lima at the time, much to the disappointment of fans.
Peru has a long history of seismic activity, given its position on the Pacific’s Ring of Fire. The country experiences an average of 100 detectable earthquakes annually. For context, a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Amazon region in 2021, leading to injurious consequences for 12 people and damaging over 70 homes. The worst disaster in Peru’s seismic history remains the 1970 Ancash earthquake, which tragically resulted in around 67,000 fatalities.
In summary, Peru experienced a significant earthquake on Sunday, resulting in one confirmed death and various injuries. While the quake caused some structural damage, particularly in Lima, the absence of a tsunami threat provided some relief. Historically, Peru frequently faces seismic events, underscoring the importance of preparedness for future natural disasters.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
