A 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Chupaca province in Peru's central Junín region on Saturday night, with its epicenter in the Chongos Bajo district and a depth of 24 kilometers. Initial reports confirmed four fatalities and dozens of injuries. The President of the Council of Ministers, Luis Arroyo, and the Minister of Defense, Amadeo Flores, are traveling to the affected area to consider declaring a state of emergency. The Ministry of Health officially reported 21 injured, while the General Corps of Volunteer Firefighters estimated up to 50, with 11 sent to Hospital Nacional del Centro Daniel Alcides Carrión.
The anexo of Pumpuña in Chongos Bajo experienced the most severe damage, with many rustic homes collapsing. The National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) confirmed four deaths, including two men and two women aged between 18 and 78. Reports later updated the death toll to five, with some sources indicating a 17-year-old minor among the deceased. Rescue teams are actively searching for people trapped under debris, with the Police National and Army involved in rescue and relief efforts.
The earthquake caused power outages in Sapallanga, Chilca, Chongos Bajo, Cullhuas, Acostambo, Pazos, and Huaribamba, as reported by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. However, the Ministry of Transport and Communications confirmed that national road networks and telecommunication services were not significantly affected. Health services deployed a mobile medical post, a field hospital, and psychological support teams, alongside two SAMU ambulances for pre-hospital care. Authorities from all government levels are continuing to assess damages to homes, public infrastructure, health facilities, schools, and local roads.
Beyond individual homes, 48 houses were destroyed and 18 affected, two hospitals sustained structural damage, and the historic monument Señor de Cani Cruz collapsed. The head of INDECI also reported over 300 displaced individuals and one missing person, with coordinated search and rescue operations underway.
