12 people injured as magnitude-7.5 earthquake hits northern Peru

Twelve people were injured on Sunday when a powerful earthquake rattled northern Peru, local health authorities said.

The 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck some 98 kilometres east of Santa Maria de Nieva in Amazonas region at 05:07 am (1052 GMT) at a depth of about 130 kilometres. According to an initial assessment 408 homes were affected, 110 rendered inhabitable and 17 destroyed.

Authorities also reported 32 health establishments affected including one destroyed.

Damage of some 4,400 kilometres of road was also reported.

Peru is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where approximately 90 per cent of the world’s seismic activity is recorded