Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes Peru's Ayacucho region, felt across country

A powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake jolted the Ayacucho region in southern Peru on Thursday, with its tremors felt widely across the country, including the capital, Lima. The quake, which occurred at 1:00 PM local time, had its epicenter located 35 kilometers north of Coracora at a significant depth of 108 kilometers.

Officials from the Institute of Geophysical Peru (IGP) suggested that the earthquake's considerable depth likely prevented more critical effects, despite its high magnitude. Hernando Tavera, president of the IGP, noted that the depth contributed to the quake being felt broadly but not causing severe damage.

The National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) has reported that response units and local authorities are actively monitoring vulnerable areas. As of the latest reports, Indeci has not confirmed any damages or casualties. Luis Vásquez, head of Indeci, stated that while no damage has been reported, the institute is actively seeking validated information from areas closest to the epicenter, particularly remote villages in Ayacucho and Ica.

Vásquez cautioned that homes in these remote areas are often constructed from rustic materials, making them more susceptible to collapse during seismic activity. The Indeci report detailed that the earthquake was felt strongly in several districts of the Parinacochas province in Ayacucho, as well as in Nazca in the neighboring Ica region. Moderate tremors were felt in Ica and Pisco, and lighter shaking was reported in parts of the Apurímac and Moquegua regions. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) is coordinating with regional and local authorities and urging them to keep their emergency operations centers active. Images circulating on social media show dust clouds from landslides on hillsides near populated areas, but it remains unclear if these have caused any harm.