Several people injured Strong earthquake shakes the coast of Peru

In the middle of the night, an earthquake shakes off the coast of Peru. The authorities issue a tsunami warning, which is later lifted. There are casualties.

A severe quake shook the coast of Peru during the night. The US earthquake observatory USGS gave the magnitude as 7.2. Peru's Geophysical Institute (IGP) put the magnitude at 7.0. A tsunami warning for Peru's coast was issued by the local marine authority. It was lifted hours later.

According to the Peruvian earthquake observatory, the quake occurred shortly after midnight (local time) at a depth of 42 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean, around 50 kilometers southeast of the coastal community of Yauca in South America. Several smaller aftershocks followed in the affected Arequipa region.

People run from their homes

There were reports of some structural damage and nine people were slightly injured, according to the head of the National Institute of Civil Defense. The newspaper "El Comercio" reported that 14 people were injured.

The strong quake had alarmed residents and caused them to leave their homes, IGP chief Hernando Tavera told the radio station RPP. According to local media, the quake was also felt in the major cities of Ica and Lima.

Earthquakes occur again and again in Peru. The entire west coast of the American double continent lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which is known for its high seismic activity.