Strong 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Close to Peru’s Second-Biggest City

Arequipa, the second-most populous city in Peru, was slammed by an earthquake of magnitude 7.0, however no fatalities or injuries were reported.

On Friday, there was a strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake close to Arequipa, which is Peru’s second-most populous city. Fortunately, no fatalities or injuries have been reported as of yet, according to local authorities.

Using social media, the Peruvian government declared that it is keeping a close eye on the situation in order to “assess the damage and determine the actions to be taken.” At first, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center declared a tsunami warning, citing waves that had been observed along portions of Peru’s coast that were between one and three meters (9.84 feet) above the tide level.

Gustavo Adrianzen, the prime minister of Peru, subsequently declared that the tsunami alert for the Arequipa coast had been lifted. The regional government of Arequipa’s adviser, Carlos Zanabria, told the local radio station RPP that there had been reports of material damage in some districts, which had led to citizens fleeing their houses out of fear. He attested to the fact that no deaths or injuries had been reported.

Although some of the district’s house walls had crumbled, Flavio Aranguren, the mayor of Yauca district in Caraveli province, Arequipa, affirmed to RPP that no one had died.

As part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, which frequently sees collisions between continental plates, are Peru and Ecuador.