13:16 | Chongos Bajo (Junin region), Jul. 31.
Led by
Junin Region Governor Zosimo Cardenas, local authorities and residents welcomed
President Keiko Fujimori upon her arrival in the district of Chongos Bajo, the area hardest hit by the powerful 5.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on July 18, as a new 3.5-magnitude earthquake shook the area again early Friday morning.
From the early hours of the day, a strong police and security presence was visible in Chongos Bajo ahead of the top official's expected arrival.
The President began her visit to Junin region after landing at Francisco Carle Airport in Jauja before traveling by helicopter to the emergency zone.
Official activities are centered at the district's community hall, which also serves as a humanitarian aid warehouse, and later in the hamlet of Pumpunya, considered the area hardest hit by the earthquake and where four fatalities were recorded.
In addition to the Junin region governor, mayors from the seven districts placed under a state of emergency, provincial authorities, as well as health and education sector representatives have gathered in Chongos Bajo.
They are expected to meet with the Head of State to outline the main needs still facing families affected by the earthquake.
Installation of temporary shelters advances
According to the latest National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) platform report, the emergency has left five people dead, around 4,000 people affected, 5,000 displaced, 450 homes destroyed, and 1,600 buildings deemed uninhabitable, in addition to damage to public and private institutions.
Authorities reported that the installation of temporary housing units is continuing to shelter families who lost their homes.
In the hamlet of Pupuña, prefabricated houses measuring more than 21 square meters have already been installed. Temporary shelters donated by the United Nations have been set up as well.
However, despite ongoing relief efforts, some families remain in tents because aid has not yet reached all the affected areas.
Aftershocks continue
The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) reported that a magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck at 4:53 a.m. on Friday, July 31, at a depth of 12 kilometers.
The seismic event was felt in Chongos Bajo, where concern remains high due to the continued aftershocks following the quake that left six people dead, thousands affected, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
Residents remain on high alert due to the ongoing seismic activity recorded since the July 18 earthquake. Since then, 12 earthquakes have been recorded.
(END) PTM/MAO/MVB
Published: 7/31/2026