Earthquake Strikes Peru, Leaving Death and Destruction
At least four people have died and others remain trapped under rubble after a magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Peru near the town of Chupaca on the evening of July 18, 2026. The quake was detected at a depth of nearly 14 miles beneath the surface at 9:24 p.m. local time, according to the US Geological Survey.
Rescue Efforts Underway Amid Freezing Temperatures
Local authorities are working to assess the damage and rescue those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The region has experienced ongoing aftershocks, complicating rescue operations. Survivors are searching for shelter as temperatures drop to just 4 degrees Celsius, raising concerns for those left homeless.
Photos from the ground show stone buildings reduced to rubble, with dead cattle and other animals lying beneath the debris. In the town of Chongos Bajo, a 500-year-old stone statue, known as Cani Cruz, crashed down into the town's plaza. This statue is the focal point of an annual pilgrimage from Huancayo to Chongos Bajo.
Comparison to Recent Venezuela Earthquake
The earthquake comes weeks after a devastating earthquake in Venezuela, which left over 50,000 people still missing. That rare double strike, with two quakes occurring 39 seconds apart, was the strongest in the region since 1900, according to the US Geological Survey.
In the Peru quake, buildings were reduced to rubble, and videos showed people fleeing violently shaking areas. Thousands of people have been left homeless as a result of the disaster.
