Thursday, 30/05/2019 16:34 (GMT+7)
The death toll from a powerful earthquake that rocked parts of Peru and neighboring Ecuador left at least two persons dead and more than 30 people injured, authorities said.
The earthquake damaged many houses in Peru (Source: AFP/VNA)
"There are many old houses that have collapsed after this strong earthquake," said Hugo Araujo, the mayor of Yurimaguas, a town near the epicentre in Peru.
The quake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale, was the most powerful to hit the earthquake-prone country in 12 years, Peru's President Martin Vizcarra said, adding that it blocked roads, damaged a bridge and knocked down houses.
“It is an earthquake affecting the entire Peruvian jungle," he said.
Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, which is part of the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” the world’s most active area of seismic activity.
Peru's civil defense coordinator Ricardo Seijas said 11 people were injured in Peru, and more than 50 houses were left uninhabitable.
Media reports also said dozens people had been hurt in Ecuador, where power-cuts were reported in parts of its Amazon basin region./.
Compiled by BTA