A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck off Peru’s central coast on Sunday, sending strong tremors through the capital city Lima and the nearby port of Callao. Authorities confirmed one fatality and at least five injuries following the quake.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 11:35 a.m. local time with an epicenter 23 kilometers (14 miles) southwest of Callao, in the Pacific Ocean.
The tremor caused panic across the capital. A 36-year-old man was killed in northern Lima after debris from a fourth-floor construction site collapsed and struck him while he stood outside his vehicle waiting for a passenger, said Police Colonel Ramiro Clauco in an interview with RPP radio.
The Emergency Operations Center confirmed that five additional people were injured and were receiving treatment in hospitals. The agency also reported structural damage to roads and educational facilities.
President Dina Boluarte announced she would travel to Callao to assess the situation and oversee the emergency response, according to a statement from the Peruvian presidency on social media platform X.
Videos shared by local media showed damaged homes, fallen billboards, and vehicles struck by debris. Some residents described a loud rumble followed by a strong jolt that lasted several seconds.
Hernando Tavera, head of the Geophysical Institute of Peru, told TV channel N that the earthquake was felt across all districts of Lima, highlighting the widespread nature of the tremors.
In downtown Lima, a Sunday mass at the historic Lima Cathedral was abruptly interrupted as frightened worshippers fled the church. No injuries were reported in that incident.
At the same time, a professional football match at the Alberto Gallardo Stadium in Lima was temporarily paused after the quake was felt by players and spectators. The game resumed after a brief delay.
Authorities have not issued a tsunami warning, but emergency services remain on high alert as aftershocks are possible. Inspections of buildings and public infrastructure are underway.
Peru is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country regularly experiences moderate to strong seismic events due to the movement of tectonic plates along its coastline.
