Strong Earthquake Shakes Peru, One Dead and Dozens Injured
A 6.1-magnitude quake hit central Peru, killing one and injuring 36. Public infrastructure was damaged in Lima and Callao. No tsunami alert issued.
June 16, 2025 Hour: 1:37 am
A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the central coast of Peru on Sunday, killing one person, injuring dozens, and damaging hospitals, schools, and homes across Lima and the port city of Callao.
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The tremor occurred at 11:35 a.m. local time (16:35 GMT). While the United States Geological Survey (USGS) registered it at magnitude 5.6, Peru’s National Seismological Center and local media outlets reported a stronger 6.1 magnitude. The epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Callao, at a depth of 53.5 kilometers.
Authorities confirmed the death of a 36-year-old man in the district of Independencia, where a wall from a fourth-floor construction site collapsed onto his vehicle. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), 36 people sustained injuries—11 have been discharged and 25 remain under medical care in hospitals across Lima.
The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) reported damage to 14 healthcare centers and 13 educational institutions. Images shared by local media showed vehicles crushed by falling debris, walls split by cracks, and streets littered with rubble. Landslides were also reported in nearby municipalities.
Public life in Lima was briefly disrupted. A football match between Sporting Cristal and Deportivo Garcilaso was suspended, and a mass at Lima Cathedral was interrupted as worshippers rushed outside in panic.
President Dina Boluarte visited affected areas and urged citizens to stay calm, confirming that there is no tsunami alert. Authorities continue to assess the damage and monitor for possible aftershocks.
Peru, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent seismic activity, with more than 100 perceptible earthquakes recorded annually. Sunday’s quake was the strongest in the capital region since a 7.5-magnitude event in Amazonas in 2021. The deadliest in the country’s modern history was the 1970 Áncash earthquake, which killed nearly 67,000 people.
Emergency teams remain on alert as recovery and inspection efforts continue.
Author: MK
Source: AP - COEN-INDECI
