Earthquake Kills 5 in Peru, Damages Historic Sites

A relatively moderate quake proved deadly in Peru's central highlands on Saturday night. Authorities say a magnitude 5.1 earthquake centered near Chupaca, in the Andean region of Junín, killed at least five people, with damage reported to hospitals, religious sites, and power lines. A 3.7 aftershock followed less than 20 minutes later, Euronews reports. More than 20 people were injured, per the AP, and 300 have been displaced. The worst destruction was in the district of Chongos Bajo, where the deaths occurred.

In nearby Huancayo, two hospitals sustained structural damage, including cracks in a pediatric intensive care unit. Historic landmarks were also hit, among them the Cani Cruz stone cross in Chongos Alto and parts of the old Santiago de León convent. While some districts experienced blackouts, initial checks by Peru's National Emergency Operations Committee found no impact on major highways. Peru sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," and seismologists say quakes of this size strike the Chupaca area roughly once every 13 years.