Peru: Some damage reported following earlier 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Datem del Maranon Province, Nov. 28 /update 2

Event

An earlier magnitude-7.5 earthquake near the town of Barranca, in Datem del Maranon Province, Peru, has resulted in some damage as of Nov. 28. The epicenter was about 42 km (27 miles) north-northwest of Barranca, Datem del Maranon Province.

In Peru, initial reports indicate that debris and landslides have blocked some highways in Amazonas and Cajamarcas regions. More specifically, some damage to homes and businesses has occurred in Valera (Bongara Province), San Jeronimo (Luya Province), and Leimebamba (Chachapoyas Province) districts. Officials have yet to confirm if any fatalities occurred in Peru.

In Ecuador, some light structural damage to buildings has occurred in Loja, capital of the namesake province. Officials have yet to confirm if any fatalities occurred in Ecuador.

Severe damage is currently assessed as being unlikely; the temblor occurred at a depth of approximately 112 km (70 miles) and occurred in a sparsely populated part of Peru. Nonetheless, damage to infrastructure, and repair or reconstruction efforts may exacerbate residual disruptions. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. It could take several days until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.