Strong 6.7 Quake Hits Peru's Southern Andes, No Damage Reported

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 struck Peru's southern Andes on Thursday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor, which occurred at 1 p.m. local time, was centered 38 kilometers northwest of the town of Upahuacho in the Parinacochas province of the Ayacucho region, at a depth of 66 kilometers.

The quake was felt across several southern Peruvian regions, including Ica and Arequipa. Despite the strength of the tremor, officials reported no immediate damage. Luis Vásquez, head of Civil Defense, told local radio station RPP that "no damage of any kind has been reported so far." Yony Reyes, the mayor of Parinacochas province, also confirmed there were no reports of damage in the provincial capital.

The Peruvian Navy stated that there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake. Police patrols were deployed in the affected area as a precautionary measure.

Peru is situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region known for frequent seismic activity. The country has a history of devastating earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.9 quake in 2007 that struck the Ica region and claimed nearly 600 lives.