Six Dead, Dozens Injured After Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake Hits Central Peru

A powerful earthquake and its aftershock have devastated the Chupaca province in Peru's central Junín region, leaving at least six people dead and over 30 injured. The most significant impact was reported in the district of Chongos Bajo, where the fatalities occurred and numerous structures sustained damage.

According to the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci), six people lost their lives. The Deputy Minister of Health, Henry Rebaza, stated that 26 injured individuals have been discharged, while six remain hospitalized. Rebaza emphasized that these figures represent initial damage reports and that health and structural damage are being closely monitored.

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These figures are part of the initial damage reports from the impact caused by the earthquakes in Chupaca, with the greatest impact in the district of Chongos Bajo, where the fatalities occurred and numerous structures have also been warned to be affected.

Emergency response is underway, with a specialized team from Huancayo already on site. Approximately one hundred healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and local brigadistas, are present in Chupaca. Additional specialized personnel and a mobile hospital are being dispatched to the affected area.

Indeci's report also detailed damage to homes and health facilities in Chongos Bajo, along with disruptions to power transmission and tourist infrastructure. The initial earthquake, measuring 5.1 magnitude, struck at 9:24 p.m. local time on Saturday, with its epicenter located 7 kilometers south of Chongos Bajo at a depth of 24 kilometers. A 3.7 magnitude aftershock followed 17 minutes later.

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We are monitoring all areas in this problem, the most important thing is health; we are also monitoring the damage.