Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits Peru

ANKARA/BOGOTA, Colombia

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Peru on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicenter of the quake was 42 kilometers (26 miles) northwest of the coastal city Barranca, occurring at a depth of some 112.5 kilometers (70 miles).


No tsunami alert was issued following the quake.

According to preliminary information released by Peru's National Emergency Operations Center (COEN), four people were injured in the quake, while seven churches and three health facilities were damaged.

Some 75 houses were destroyed out of 220 that were damaged.

Noting that 867 people were left homeless in the wake of the tremor, the COEN said that search and rescue efforts continue.

President Pedro Castillo said on Twitter that he would visit the town of La Jalca Grande in the Amazon region, which was severely hit by the earthquake.

Peru, situated in one of the most seismically active regions in the world, is located in the Pacific Earthquake Belt, also known as the "Ring of Fire."

Some 595 people lost their lives in the 7.9 magnitude earthquake of Aug. 15, 2007.

*Writing by Busra Nur Cakmak