SICAYA — A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Andes region of Peru, killing at least five people. The US Geological Survey reported the quake struck on Saturday at 9:24 p.m.

The epicentre was located 2km (1.2 miles) west-south-west of the city of Sicaya in Huancayo province. The earthquake was 10km (6.2 miles) deep.

More than 20 people were injured in the tremor, and 300 people have been displaced from their homes. Several buildings collapsed or suffered structural damage, including the local church and convent.

Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute confirmed that the earthquake killed at least five people. The total number of missing people is still unknown. Luis Vásquez, head of the local civil defense office, said the use of rustic adobe materials in construction in that Andean area “has contributed to the greater impact and damage”. Hermenegilda Guamalato said, “My home has been destroyed.” The statement reflects the destruction reported across the affected zone where adobe structures are common.

Peru is located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. This geographic positioning subjects the country to frequent seismic activity due to tectonic plate interactions.

In 2007, a 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the province of Pisco in the Ica region. The 2007 earthquake in Pisco killed nearly 600 people.

The earthquake in Sicaya shows the ongoing seismic risks in Peru, a country situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. The destruction of adobe buildings reflects the vulnerability of local construction methods to strong tremors, as noted by civil defense officials.

The displacement of 300 people and the injury of more than 20 others demonstrate the immediate humanitarian impact of the event. The unknown number of missing persons indicates that rescue and assessment operations are ongoing in the Huancayo province. Emergency teams have been deployed to the region to assist with search and rescue, medical care, and temporary shelter distribution. Local authorities are conducting damage assessments to determine the full extent of structural failures and to coordinate recovery efforts. The government has also activated regional emergency protocols to support affected communities.