Magnitude 7.0 earthquake shakes Caravelí province in Arequipa: injuries, damages, and aftershocks in the early hours of Friday. Task force deployed for assistance and assessment.

The early hours of last Friday were shaken by a strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake in the province of Caravelí, in Arequipa, causing damage to homes, injuries, and generating a series of aftershocks that kept the population on edge. The government, led by Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén, has deployed a team to coordinate relief efforts and damage assessment in the affected area. The Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP) reported a total of more than 18 aftershocks, although only six were felt by the population. Reports of injuries amount to 8, spread between Arequipa and the Ica region, while 1280 users are without electricity service in the districts of Lomas, Caravelí, and Chala in the province of Caravelí. Local and regional authorities, together with government representatives, have begun damage assessment and assistance efforts for those affected. The Ministry of Transportation has managed to restore traffic on various roads, although interruptions are reported such as at the San Andrés bridge in the district of Huanuhuanu and at the Yunca Chaca ravine. President Dina Boluarte, from China, has expressed her concern about the situation and has coordinated actions with the relevant authorities. Likewise, the Peruvian Navy has canceled the tsunami alert on the Peruvian coast, although aftershocks have been recorded following the initial earthquake, such as the 4.3 magnitude one this same morning in Arequipa. In the midst of the emergency, the residents of Yauca are experiencing moments of uncertainty and panic, with reports of cracked walls and rockslides. The National Institute of Civil Defense (Indeci) has issued recommendations to act with caution and to identify safe areas in case of aftershocks. Local authorities in Caravelí have urgently requested machinery to clear the roads and assist those affected. Provincial mayor Roberto Soto has reported collapsed homes in the epicenter area and has called for the activation of the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) to coordinate response efforts. The population, amidst the crisis, has shown concern about the lack of preparedness of authorities for emergency situations, as well as the scarcity of guidance on evacuating in case of a tsunami. Peru, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, once again faces the reality of its high seismic activity and the need to strengthen its prevention and response systems to natural disasters.