Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Hits Southern Peru, Injuring at Least 28 and Damaging Buildings
LIMA, Peru — May 20, 2026 — A powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Ica region of southern Peru on Tuesday, May 19, injuring at least 28 people and causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, according to Peruvian authorities .
The earthquake occurred at 12:57 p.m. local time (1757 GMT) on Tuesday, May 19, with its epicenter located approximately 41 kilometers (25 miles) south of the city of Ica, according to the Geophysical Institute of Peru . The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake’s magnitude at 5.8 with a depth of 56.5 kilometers, while the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences recorded a magnitude of 5.9 .
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No fatalities have been reported following the earthquake, which was felt across multiple regions, including the capital Lima, where residents reported buildings shaking . The quake is one of the strongest to hit the country in recent years.
Damage and Injuries
Peruvian Defense Minister Amadeo Flores confirmed that at least 27 people suffered minor injuries . The Ministry of Health later updated the count to 28 injured individuals, who were treated at several medical facilities including Santa Maria del Socorro Hospital (13 patients), Ica Regional Hospital, and San Jose de Chincha Hospital .
The earthquake caused structural damage to several key buildings in the Ica region:
- San Luis Gonzaga National University: The university campus sustained significant damage, with Defense Minister Flores visiting the site to assess the destruction .
- Educational Institutions: Four schools in Ica were damaged, including schools No. 22533, 22570, Horacio Zeballos, and 327 .
- Technological University of Peru (UTP): The campus infrastructure in Ica was affected, requiring a technical assessment .
- Los Libertadores Highway: A landslide at kilometer 41+000 along the San Clemente–Huaytara section forced traffic restrictions .
Emergency Response
Peruvian authorities activated immediate response protocols following the earthquake. The National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) coordinated with the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) to assess damage and provide assistance to affected communities .
The Ministry of Education ordered the preventive isolation of affected areas and the implementation of the Education Sector Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (EDANSE) to ensure educational services could continue in safe spaces .
Two health facilities were reported as affected but operational: the Ica Regional Hospital and Pichuta Health Post in Huancavelica .
Geologic Context
Peru lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults and volcanoes encircling the Pacific Basin that is responsible for a significant portion of the world’s earthquake activity . Earthquakes are common in the country, which experiences frequent seismic events due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.
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Aftershocks
A separate, smaller earthquake with a magnitude of 3.9 struck the Pasco region of central Peru on Tuesday evening, May 19, at 7:28 p.m. local time, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre . The temblor occurred at a depth of 29 kilometers, approximately 129 kilometers southeast of Aguaytia in the Ucayali region. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries associated with this event.
As of Wednesday, May 20, authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage, and no further casualties have been reported . The government has urged residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks and to follow safety protocols issued by emergency management officials.
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