At least eight people have been injured after a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of southern Peru overnight Friday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17 miles) and hit 8 kilometers (5 miles) west of Atiquipa, approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) south of the capital Lima.
Residents in Atiquipa reported feeling a very strong and prolonged quake that caused their beds to shake. CCTV footage from the nearby town of Caraveli captured the intensity of the tremor, showing a residential street shaking violently as people emerged from their houses.
The quake's impact was felt as far as Lima, with videos on social media showing lamps swaying inside houses. Authorities have confirmed that eight people were injured in the incident, with five receiving medical attention in hospitals in the Ica region and three treated for minor injuries in the neighboring Arequipa region.
Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths following the earthquake. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen stated that preliminary reports indicate no fatalities, and authorities are assessing the impact on infrastructures.
The Peruvian Presidency announced that the government is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating any potential damage. Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued an alert warning of possible tsunami waves reaching up to 1 to 3 meters along some coastal areas in Peru. However, the alert was later lifted as there was no longer a tsunami threat.
Peru, along with most of the South American Pacific Coast, lies on the border of two tectonic plates: the South American plate and the Nazca plate. These plates are responsible for the seismic activity in the region, highlighting the earthquake-prone nature of the area.
