By Staff The Associated Press Posted August 21, 2026 12:27 pm 1 minute read Reduce article font size Increase article font size A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Andes Mountains of southern Peru on Thursday, injuring at least two people and damaging homes, health centers and schools, authorities said. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 1:00 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT) and had its epicenter 38 kilometers (24 miles) northwest of the city of Upahuacho, in the province of Parinacochas, in the Ayacucho region. It had a depth of 66 kilometers (41 miles). Get the latest national news Get the latest Canadian news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you don’t miss any breaking news. The earthquake was felt in several regions of southern Peru, including Ica, Arequipa, Huancavelica, Apurímac and Cusco, as well as in the capital Lima. Luis Vásquez, head of Civil Defense, told reporters that two people were injured while evacuating their homes during the earthquake in Coracora, capital of Parinacochas province. Authorities also reported damage to 22 homes, six health centers and a school in several districts of Ayacucho and Cusco, including the towns of Puquio, Pullo, Coracora, Upahuacho, San Pedro and Pichari. More about the world More videos Story continues below advertising Vásquez said rockfalls were reported on the slopes near Coracora. The Peruvian Navy ruled out a tsunami threat. Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, which is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area of frequent seismic activity. In 2007, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in a province in the Ica region left almost 600 dead. © 2026 The Canadian Press