News - A devastating earthquake hits the Andes in Peru, claiming lives and affecting heritage.

LIMA, Peru — A powerful tremor measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale has caused widespread devastation in Peru's Andes region, claiming at least six lives, injuring more than 30 individuals, and leaving 300 residents without homes, according to officials on Sunday. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the earthquake's occurrence on Saturday at 9:24 p.m., identifying the epicenter near Sicaya in Huancayo province, a mere 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) west-southwest, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles). Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute revealed that the number of missing people remains unconfirmed. Among damaged structures was the iconic “Santiago de León” church in Chongos Bajo, a significant cultural heritage site from the 16th century. Luis Vásquez, leading the local civil defense unit, highlighted the use of traditional adobe in buildings as a factor exacerbating the destruction. Located on the earthquake-prone Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Peru regularly experiences seismic activity. Local media outlets documented the heartache and resilience of the deeply impacted community, particularly in Chongos Bajo, where anguished residents gathered amidst the ruins of their homes, some sheltering themselves with blankets. Even livestock fell victim to the debris. “My home has been destroyed,” expressed Hermenegilda Guamalato to a local broadcaster, as she and her three children sought refuge in nearby Huayucachi. This incident echoes the severe impact of the 2007 magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Pisco, Ica, which tragically led to nearly 600 fatalities.