Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake Hits Coast of Southern Peru

An intensity map released by the US Geological Survey (USGS) on 14 January 2018 indicates the epicenter of a 7.3-magnitude earthquake near the coast of southern Peru at 09:18 UTC. via Reuters by EPA/USGS

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 has hit off the coast of Peru, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake which caused minor material damage had triggered temporary tsunami warnings along the Peruvian coast.

No victims had been reported so far.

The quake hit at 0918 GMT at a depth of around 10 km (6 miles), the USGS said, Reuters reported.

The earthquake was of magnitude 6.7 with its epicenter in Lomas, in the southern region of Arequipa, Peru’s government Geophysical Institute said.

PArequipa Governor Yamila Osorio confirmed on Twitter no victims had been reported so far, while there was minor material damage including some collapsed roads.

People in Lomas were evacuating, Osorio stated.

There are up to 10 million people in the area where the quake was felt, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).