Several individuals lost their lives following a strong earthquake that hit Peru on Saturday night, triggering a significant emergency response. The earthquake, measuring 5.6 in magnitude, occurred at a depth of 13.67 miles around 9.24 pm local time, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
In the hardest-hit area of Pumpunya, numerous houses collapsed, leading to a rapid deployment of rescue teams. The epicenter of the quake was approximately seven kilometers south of Chupaca, and its effects were felt across several towns in the Mantaro Valley, including Huancayo, Concepción, and Jauja.
The death toll increased from two to five, with authorities cautioning that the number could rise further, according to Peru21. A coordinated effort involving the police, firefighters, medical personnel, and local officials was initiated to assist those impacted and retrieve victims from the affected area.