A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Peru on Saturday, the US Geological Survey said. The quake struck 36 km north of Barranca, Peru, at a depth of 131km (approx 81.4 miles) around 5.50 am local time. There were no immediate reports of casualties and no tsunami warning has been issued in the aftermath of the quake.

Tremors were felt by people living in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. The quake damaged some buildings and blocked several roads with rubble.

Also Read: Why is Peru vulnerable to earthquakes?

Several people shared photos and videos of the quake. Opoyi cannot independently verify the same. 

Part of a 16th-century church in La Jalca district in the Amazon region also reportedly collapsed in the quake and at least three people were lightly injured, Mayor Walter Culqui told local media. 

Meanwhile, falling stones blocked several highways in the Amazonas and Cajamarca regions in Peru.

Tremors were felt nearly 800 kilometers (500 miles) away in the capital of Lima, where some people rushed out of their homes in alarm. A church in the Loja municipality in neighboring Ecuador was also partly damaged. 

Also Read: 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes India-Myanmar border; tremors felt in Kolkata

Peru President Pedro Castillo Terrones tweeted, “All my solidarity with the people of Amazonas in the face of the strong earthquake. I have arranged for the ministries and members of the executive branch to implement immediate action. You are not alone, brothers. We will support those affected by structural damage.”

Earthquakes are quite common in Peru, which falls within the Pacific Ring of Fire where 85% of the planet’s seismic activity takes place.

In July 2021, the north Pacific coastof Peru was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 6.1.

On June 23, 2001, a massive 8.4 magnitude earthquake struck Peru’s southern coast near Arequipa, the effect of which shook northern Chile and Bolivia.