12:54 | Zarumilla (Tumbes region), Mar. 18.
A strong earthquake, of 6.7-magnitude with a depth of 78 kilometers, was registered in Peru's northern Tumbes region on Saturday.
The telluric movement was felt with an intensity IV in the city of Zarumilla.
The first reports indicated that there was damage to several homes, as well as public and private premises.
The epicenter of the seismic event was located in Ecuador —85 kilometers northeast of Zarumilla, district and province of the same name.
The large-magnitude earthquake was also felt in the city of Tumbes and in other areas belonging to this region, in addition to Piura and Lambayeque regions.
Minutes after this strong quake, at 12:22 p.m., an aftershock was registered that reached a magnitude of 4.1 in the same area, near Zarumilla.
Peru lies in the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," which is the site of 85% of global seismic activity.
Update at 5:04 p.m. (local time): The earthquake has so far left 1 person dead, 29 victims, 73 affected, as well as 5 houses collapsed, 5 uninhabitable, 21 affected, plus 2 affected healthcare centers.
(END) MAO/MVB
Published: 3/18/2023