Earthquake Shakes Peru’s North Pacific Coast

People standing in the streets in Piura, Peru, after an earthquake hits the north Pacific coast of Peru, on July 30, 2021. AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

LIMA, Peru—A magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the north Pacific coast of Peru on Friday, sending people fleeing their homes, damaging a centuries old church and injuring at least one person.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake happened at 12:10 p.m. local time, with an epicenter about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of the city of Sullana. It was also felt in southern Ecuador.

The earthquake caused many citizens of Sullana to leave their homes. A woman was injured after being trapped under a collapsed wall while a car was crushed by bricks.

Footage from local TV stations showed that part of the cornice on the façade of Piura’s cathedral, built in the 16th century, fell off. The earthquake also damaged two other houses of worship in different communities and three fire stations.

People cleaning debris from fallen pieces of Piura Cathedral's facade after an earthquake, in Piura, Peru, on July 30, 2021. AP/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

The video also showed products scattered on the floor of a supermarket in Piura, about 615 miles (990 kilometers) north of the capital, Lima.

President Pedro Castillo left a military parade to travel to Piura, according to a statement from the presidential office.

Earthquakes are frequent in Peru.