7 dead, 40 injured in Peru earthquake

At least seven people have died and more than 40 injured after a 5.4-magnitude earthquake hit southern Peru on Sunday.

Officials said Sunday’s quake had destroyed at least 80 homes in the Arequipa region, as rescuers and aid workers scrambled to reach the worst-hit areas in the region of Arequipa.

Earthquakes are common in Peru; in 2007, almost 600 people died when an 8.0-magnitude quake hit the central coast area.

This quake struck at 9.58pm local time (2:58am GMT) at a depth of 10km, according to the US Geological Survey.

Its epicentre was 7km west of the town of Chivay, while the districts that were hit worst were Ichupampa, Yanque, Achoma and Maca.

A local mayor told Peruvian media that “the quake was felt very strongly... we have lost contact with nearby villages and are asking for heavy machinery”.

Arequipa Governor Yamila Osorio said she would travel to the affected area.

The region was already suffering from freezing temperatures.

Hours before the quake, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had visited the area to assess the damage caused by the cold snap.