6 killed, dozens injured after 5.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Peru's Andes

A powerful 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit Peru's Andes region on Saturday night, leaving at least 6 people dead, more than 30 injured, and around 300 residents displaced, according to authorities. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at 9:24 p.m., with its epicenter located about 2km west-southwest of Sicaya in Huancayo province. The quake originated at a depth of 10km beneath the surface.

Peru's National Civil Defense Institute reported that the number of people still missing has not yet been determined. The earthquake caused the collapse or structural damage of several buildings. Among the affected landmarks was the historic Santiago de León church and former convent in Chongos Bajo. Built in 1565, the site is recognized as a national heritage monument and is valued as a remarkable example of 16th-century architecture.

Luis Vásquez, who heads the local civil defense office, explained that the widespread use of traditional adobe construction in the Andean region made many buildings especially vulnerable to the quake, contributing to the scale of the destruction.

Television footage from local media showed devastated families gathered outside heavily damaged homes in Chongos Bajo, one of the worst-hit farming communities. Residents wrapped themselves in blankets as they spent the night outdoors, while animals could also be seen trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Peru has experienced similarly devastating earthquakes in the past. For example, in 2007, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the province of Pisco in the Ica region, claiming nearly 600 lives. Peru experiences frequent seismic activity because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most active earthquake zones.