Earthquake kills six, destroys dozens of homes in Peru
At least six people have died after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Peru’s Andes region, officials said on Sunday.
The earthquake hit on Saturday night near the town of Chongos Bajo, about 300 kilometres east of the capital, Lima.
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Prime Minister Luis Enrique Aroyo said 32 other people were injured in the quake.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 24 kilometres, causing heavy damage because many homes in the area were built with adobe bricks and traditional mud-and-wood materials.
A resident told local television that many houses collapsed, leaving families without shelter.
According to Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute, 48 houses were destroyed and about 300 people were left homeless.
Officials also recorded 12 aftershocks after the main earthquake.
Peru lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active earthquake zones.
The country experiences about 400 earthquakes every year, although most are too weak to be felt.
Peru’s deadliest recent earthquake struck the southern city of Pisco in 2007. The 7.9-magnitude quake killed 595 people and also triggered a small tsunami.
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