A powerful earthquake has left a trail of destruction across Peru’s central Andean region of Junín, claiming at least five lives, injuring more than 20 people, and affecting hundreds of residents.
The 5.1-magnitude tremor struck on Saturday evening, prompting an urgent response from emergency services and expressions of solidarity from the country’s Catholic bishops.
Authorities continue to evaluate the full extent of the damage as rescue operations remain underway in the hardest-hit communities.
Epicenter Located Near Chongos Bajo
According to Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI), the earthquake struck at around 9 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the district of Chongos Bajo in Chupaca province, roughly 193 miles east of the capital, Lima.
Emergency personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and members of the Peruvian military, were quickly deployed to assist residents and search for survivors trapped by collapsed buildings.
Hundreds Impacted as Homes Sustain Heavy Damage
Officials estimate that about 50 homes in the Pumpunya area of Chongos Bajo suffered significant damage, leaving many families displaced.
Authorities say the number of affected residents could rise as assessments continue across nearby communities, where damaged infrastructure has complicated relief efforts.
Experts Blame Weak Construction for Severe Destruction
Hernando Tavera, president of Peru’s Geophysical Institute (IGP), said the widespread destruction was largely linked to the poor quality of many buildings in the region.
Speaking to local media, Tavera explained that numerous homes were constructed with locally sourced materials that fail to meet modern engineering standards, making them especially vulnerable during seismic events.
He noted that buildings designed according to proper construction regulations typically perform much better during earthquakes.
Aftershocks Keep Communities on Edge
The earthquake has been followed by a series of aftershocks, adding to residents’ fears as emergency crews continue their work.
The Geophysical Institute has recorded 12 aftershocks since the main quake, with the strongest measuring magnitudes of 3.7 and 3.4.
Officials continue to monitor seismic activity while urging the public to remain cautious.
Government Officials Visit Disaster Zone
On Sunday, Prime Minister Luis Enrique Arroyo Sánchez traveled to Chongos Bajo alongside Defense Minister Amadeo Flores and INDECI chief Luis Enrique Vásquez to oversee emergency operations.
The delegation coordinated with local authorities to assess the damage, review rescue efforts, and ensure assistance reaches families affected by the disaster as quickly as possible.
Peru’s Catholic Bishops Offer Comfort and Call for Unity
In the wake of the tragedy, Peru’s Catholic bishops issued a heartfelt message expressing condolences to the victims’ families and support for everyone impacted by the disaster.
Bishop Carlos García Camader, president of the Peruvian Bishops Conference, said the Church stands in spiritual solidarity with those grieving loved ones, families who have lost their homes, and the emergency workers risking their lives to help others.
The bishops also encouraged Peruvians to support affected communities and remain hopeful, entrusting those suffering to the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they described as the “Mother of Hope.”
Historic Religious Monument Reduced to Rubble
Among the structures destroyed was the centuries-old Cani Cruz, also known as the Lord of Cani Cruz, one of the oldest religious monuments in the region.
The limestone cross, erected in 1534 in Chongos Bajo’s main square, featured carvings of Jesus Christ on the cross and the Virgin Mary.
It had been recognized as part of Peru’s national cultural heritage since 1990, together with the town’s main church and the El Copón Chapel.
Its collapse has added a significant cultural and spiritual loss to the human tragedy already unfolding across the Junín region.
