Landslides Reported After Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Strikes Southern Peru

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake has shaken the southern highlands of Peru, centered near the town of Coracora in the Ayacucho region. The tremor, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, was felt with moderate to strong intensity across several Peruvian departments.

Early reports emerging from the affected areas primarily point to landslides and earth movements in rural zones. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) confirmed that the seismic event was perceived as moderate to strong in various regions. Social media and local news outlets have shared images depicting dust clouds rising from hillsides near populated areas, attributed to these earth movements.

While the full extent of the impact is still being assessed, authorities have stated that no other types of damage have been reported thus far. The earthquake's epicenter was located 35 kilometers north of Coracora, at a depth of 108 kilometers. The quake registered an intensity of III-IV in Coracora itself, a city approximately 650 kilometers south of Lima.

The mayor of Coracora, Yony Odon Reyes, indicated that houses might be affected in areas north of the town, and a multisectoral commission is being dispatched for verification. The head of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), Hernando Tavera, stated that "nothing critical has happened so far" but emphasized that the situation is under continuous evaluation. Importantly, authorities have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami following the earthquake. Peru lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high seismic activity.