Earthquake today - Magnitude 7 quake hits Peru, tsunami warning issued

Bloomberg reported a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Peru in South America at 12:36 a.m. local time, citing the United States Geological Survey.

According to an AFP report, the quake struck 8.8 kilometres (5.5 miles) from the Atiquipa district in Peru. It also stated that tsunami waves could hit certain coastlines.Atiquipa is a district in Peru's southern province of Caravelí, located approximately 380 miles south of Lima, near the borders with Chile and Bolivia. The depth reached 17 miles (28 kilometres). The Associated Press reported no immediate casualty reports.

According to the AP, the earthquake was felt in nearby regions such as Ayacucho, Ica, and the capital. It also stated that Eder Allca, mayor of Sancos in the Ayacucho region, told local radio station RPP that a road in his district had suffered rock slides, cutting off several localities.

Tsunami Warning

According to AFP, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially stated that there was no threat, but later warned that waves of up to three metres were "possible along some coasts."

The Hydrography and Navigation Directorate of the Peruvian Navy reported that the seismic event generated a tsunami alert along the Peruvian coast. Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, as the country is located in the Pacific "Ring of Fire.”