Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake Shakes Southern Peru, Damaging Homes
A strong earthquake shook southern Peru on Thursday.
It measured 6.7 in magnitude.
The quake began about 66.7 kilometers underground near Upahuacho.
People felt the shaking in several southern regions and in Lima.
Two people were hurt while leaving their homes in Coracora.
Officials said 22 homes, six health centers and one school were damaged.
Rockfalls were also reported near Coracora.
An earlier report said there was no immediate damage, but later authorities provided damage reports.
Peru has many earthquakes because it is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Peru’s southern Andes on Thursday at 1 p.m. local time.
The epicenter was 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho in Ayacucho’s Parinacochas province, at a depth of 66.7 kilometers.
Shaking was reported across southern regions including Ica, Arequipa, Huancavelica, Apurimac and Cusco, as well as Lima.
Authorities said at least two people were injured while evacuating homes in Coracora.
Reports differed on damage: an initial account cited no immediate damage, while authorities later reported damage to 22 homes, six health centers and one school.
- Who
- Residents of southern Peru were affected; the U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake, and Peruvian authorities reported injuries and damage.
- What
- A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck southern Peru, injuring at least two people and damaging homes, health centers and a school according to authorities.
- When
- Thursday at 1 p.m. local time, or 18:00 GMT.
- Where
- The earthquake was centered 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho, in Parinacochas province, Ayacucho region; shaking was felt in several southern regions and Lima.
- Why
- The reports describe Peru as a frequent earthquake zone because it lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Initial Reports
Authorities’ Later Assessment
Extent of damage
Initial Reports
The U.S. Geological Survey-based reports said there were no immediate reports of damage.
Authorities’ Later Assessment
Civil Defense authorities later reported damage to 22 homes, six health centers and one school across districts in Ayacucho and Cusco.
Impact on residents
Initial Reports
The initial reports focused on the earthquake’s location, depth and the regions where shaking was felt, without reporting injuries.
Authorities’ Later Assessment
Luis Vásquez, head of Civil Defense, said two people were injured while evacuating their homes in Coracora.
- Magnitude
- 6.7
- Time
- Thursday at 1 p.m. local time, or 18:00 GMT
- Epicenter
- 38 kilometers northwest of Upahuacho, Ayacucho region
- Depth
- 66.7 kilometers
- Injuries
- At least two people injured while evacuating homes in Coracora
- Reported damage
- 22 homes, six health centers and one school
- Other effects
- Rockfalls were reported near Coracora; the Peruvian Navy ruled out a tsunami threat
