Earthquake leaves five dead and 21 injured in the Peruvian Andes

The epicenter was in Chongos Bajo, in the Junín region, 300 km east of the capital Lima. The tremor occurred at 9:24 pm local time — 11:24 pm Brasília time —, at a depth of 24 km. The information is from the IGP (Geophysical Institute of Peru).

Number of deaths and injuries is uncertain and varies through official channels. The head of Peru's Civil Defense, General Luis Vásquez, told the local press that "what we have so far are five dead and 21 injured confirmed by the Ministry of Health." However, the latest report issued by the ministry itself mentions 16 injured.

Houses collapsed, infrastructure was damaged and at least 300 families were affected. Although the magnitude recorded was considered moderate, the shallow depth of the tremor and the fragile structure of the buildings led to the damage, explained the head of the Peruvian Civil Defense. "We have destroyed houses that are being evaluated, as well as damaged houses. There are also families that are left homeless," said Vásquez, according to Diario El Comercio.

"The General Directorate of Disaster Risk Management and National Health Defense (Digerd) maintains permanent monitoring of the emergency and coordinates response actions with health authorities in the region," said the Peruvian Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of the Interior said it was involved in search and rescue activities for victims. "In coordination with the National Police, first aid teams continue to carry out search and rescue operations, rubble removal, evacuation of affected people, pre-hospital care and support for the population in the most impacted areas," he wrote in a note.

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