A strong earthquake rattled central Peru on Saturday night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and claiming at least five lives as homes crumbled and panic spread through the darkness.
The 5.6-magnitude tremor struck around 9:24 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located just seven kilometers south of Chupaca in the Junín region. According to seismologists, it originated at a relatively shallow depth of about 13.7 miles, which intensified the shaking felt across several communities.
In the hardest-hit area of Pumpunya, part of the Chongos Bajo district, dozens of homes collapsed into piles of rubble. Residents described a scene of chaos as people rushed out of their houses, fleeing into the night while power outages plunged entire neighborhoods into blackness.
Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and medical teams, quickly mobilized to search for survivors trapped beneath the debris. I
nitial reports confirmed two fatalities in the area, but the death toll has since climbed to five, with officials cautioning that it could rise further as rescue efforts continue.
The quake sent shockwaves through nearby cities and towns, including Huancayo, Concepción, and Jauja, as well as other parts of the Mantaro Valley. Local media shared harrowing videos, one showing a singer mid-performance in a bar when the stage began to violently shake and the lights suddenly went out.
In the heart of Chongos Bajo, a beloved 500-year-old stone monument known as the Cani Cruz toppled into the main plaza. This historic site draws pilgrims each year for a 20-kilometer journey from Huancayo, making its collapse especially poignant for the community.
Beyond human casualties, the disaster took a toll on livestock as well. Several cattle were reportedly crushed under falling debris.
At least three aftershocks followed, adding to the anxiety in an already shaken region. Teams from Peru’s Disaster Risk Management office have begun surveying the extent of the damage, which includes not only destroyed homes but also impacts on public buildings, schools, roads, and health facilities.
This latest seismic event comes just days after a much larger 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico, which was felt across parts of Central America but fortunately resulted in no reported deaths or major damage there.
As night turned to day in Peru, the full scope of Saturday’s quake is still emerging. Families mourn loved ones, communities rally to support one another, and authorities work tirelessly to clear rubble and restore some sense of normalcy.
In a country no stranger to the earth’s restless movements, this reminder of nature’s power has once again tested the resilience of those living in its shadow.
