A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Peru overnight on Friday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake’s epicenter was located 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Atiquipa, at a depth of 28 kilometres (17 miles), and about 600 kilometres (372 miles) south of Lima, the capital.
In Atiquipa, residents felt a very strong and long tremor that caused their beds to shake. CCTV footage from Caraveli, a nearby town, showed intense shaking and people rushing out of their homes. The quake was also felt in Lima, with videos on social media showing lamps swaying inside houses.
Eight people were injured in the earthquake. Five of them were treated in hospitals in the Ica region, while three received medical care for minor injuries in the Arequipa region, both are in southwestern Peru, according to the Ministry of health. No deaths were reported. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen confirmed that the government is reviewing initial reports and checking for damage to infrastructure.
The Peruvian government is keeping a close watch on the situation. President Dina Boluarte addressed the press about a separate investigation into alleged bribes. The government is assessing the quake’s damage and sharing updates on social media.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued an alert for possible tsunami waves of 1 to 3 meters along parts of Peru’s coast. However, the PTWC later cancelled the alert, saying there was no longer a tsunami threat.
Peru experiences frequent earthquakes because it sits on the boundary between the South American and Nazca tectonic plates. The South American plate covers most of the continent, while the Nazca plate lies under the Pacific Ocean along the coast.