At least six people were killed and 21 were injured after two earthquakes struck a mountainous area of Peru on Saturday night, the country’s civil defense chief said on Sunday. According to Peru’s National Seismological Center post on X, the quakes measuring 5.1 and 3.7 in magnitude hit in Chupaca province in the Junín region which is about 300 km (186 miles) east of Lima on Saturday night (local time). The first earthquake occurred at a depth of 24 km (15 miles) which was followed by the second quake at 18 km, the center said.
Earthquake in Peru Kills at least 6 people, 21 Injured
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre earlier reported that the first earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6.
🇵🇪🥀 Suman seis fallecidos por el sismo que golpeó a Perú
🕯 Luis Arroyo, presidente del Consejo de Ministros del país sudamericano, informó la cifra de pérdidas humanas debido al sismo de magnitud 5,1 que tuvo su epicentro en la provincia de Chupaca, en el departamento de… pic.twitter.com/1Y7DlNQrJI
— Sputnik Mundo (@SputnikMundo) July 19, 2026
Luis Vásquez, head of Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute, told local radio station Exitosa that preliminary reports showed about 48 homes had been destroyed and another 18 damaged, affecting around 300 people who are being provided with tents.
48 Homes Destroyed, Nearly 300 Affected
Peru’s civil defense chief, Luis Vasquez said at least 48 homes were destroyed and 18 were damaged in the earthquakes.
🚨🇵🇪#BREAKING | NEWS ⚠️
6 People have been killed in Peru
after a 5.5⚡️Magnitude Earthquake struck central Peru yesterday. pic.twitter.com/bS1xq43iHN— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) July 19, 2026
Around 300 people have been affected so far. The affected people are being given emergency tents and shelter.
Most homes in the areas are made of adobe which can easily collapse during strong earthquakes. Rescue teams and firefighters are clearing debris and searching for anyone who may still be trapped.
People Forced to Spend Night on Streets
The clips that have been circulating on social media show the clear devastation. In affected areas like Chongo Bajo, people were seen forced to spend their night in the cold outside their destroyed homes.
A local woman was sharing her grief about how her home got completely destroyed in a span of time. She and her three children were now seeking shelter in a neighboring province.
Peru lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone that accounts for roughly 85% of the world’s seismic activity.
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