Magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Peru felt strongly, no damage reported initially

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake jolted the Andean region of Ayacucho in southern Peru on Thursday. While the tremor was perceived as strong in nine districts close to the epicenter, initial assessments by the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) have not reported any damage to date.

The earthquake occurred at 1:00 PM local time, with its epicenter located 35 kilometers north of the town of Coracora at a depth of 108 kilometers. The considerable depth at which the seismic event originated is believed to be the reason it was felt across multiple regions, including the capital, Lima, without resulting in critical consequences, according to Hernando Tavera, president of the Peruvian Geophysical Institute (IGP).

Indeci's preliminary report stated that first-response units and local authorities are monitoring vulnerable areas and have yet to confirm any damage. Luis Vásquez, head of Indeci, confirmed on local radio that while no damage has been reported, the institute is awaiting more validated information, particularly from remote rural communities where housing is often made of rustic materials, making it more susceptible to collapse during seismic activity.

The seismic movement was felt strongly in districts such as Coracora, Chumpi, and Coronel Castañeda in Ayacucho, as well as in Nazca in the neighboring Ica region. It was perceived as moderate in Ica and Pisco, and lightly felt in parts of the Apurímac and Moquegua regions. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) is coordinating with regional and local authorities and monitoring the situation, urging local emergency operations centers to remain active. Images circulating on social media show dust clouds from landslides, but it remains unclear if these have caused any personal or material damage.