Peru earthquake: Scary videos show aftermath in Ayacucho as 6.7-magnitude quake shakes region

A powerful earthquake struck central Peru on Thursday. Watch videos here. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook Peru's southern Andes Mountains on Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage, as per AP.A powerful earthquake struck central Peru on Thursday. (Unsplash)The USGS said the quake occurred at 1pm local time (18:00 GMT) and was centered 38 kilometers (24 miles) northwest of the city of Upahuacho, in the Parinacochas province of the Ayacucho region. It had a depth of 66 kilometers (41 miles).Also Read: Milwaukee fire update: What's burning in West Allis? Residents report explosionNo damage reported so farThe earthquake was felt in several regions of southern Peru, including Ica and Arequipa.Luis Vasquez, head of Civil Defense, told local radio station RPP that “no damage of any kind has been reported so far.” Yony Reyes, mayor of Parinacochas province, said there also were no reports of damage in the provincial capital. The Peruvian Navy said there was no tsunami threat, as per AP.Here are the videos:Also Read: Who is Zymire Hughes? Philly police identify 'Chucky' masked man accused of terrorizing City Hall areaPeru's history with earthquakesEarthquakes are frequent in Peru, which is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area of frequent seismic activity.In 2007, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in a province of the Ica region left nearly 600 people dead, as per AP.Tsunami not expectedThe National Weather Service's Tsunami Alerts confirmed there is no tsunami expected following the magnitude 6.8 earthquake in central Peru, which occurred at 18:00 UTC on August 20.How many people felt the shakingPreliminary USGS estimates indicate that roughly 197,000 people felt moderate shaking, with areas near the epicenter, including Coracora, experiencing strong shaking.Light shaking was reported in Cusco, a populous city in the Peruvian Andes that was once the capital of the Inca Empire, as well as in Ayacucho.For the impacted region, which the USGS describes as containing “structures that are highly vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist,” preliminary estimates indicate a low likelihood of fatalities and economic losses, as per Fox Weather.Khushi Arora is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, where she writes for the US Desk, covering everything happening in the United States, while maintaining quality and delivering impactful stories across all beats. She previously worked at Zee News for over a year where she explored multiple beats including News Desk, Education and Lifestyle. With a background in English Literature, Khushi blends sharp research with thoughtful storytelling, shaping stories that go beyond headlines and bring clarity and credibility to every piece she writes. Beyond the newsroom, she enjoys reading, watching cinema and loves having long conversations about books, films and everything in between.Read MorePeruUs NewsEarthquakeUs Top NewsGet the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.