Two earthquakes strike Peru within days; one fatal, one without damage

Peru experienced two significant earthquakes in July 2026. A magnitude 5.0 tremor off the coast of Chimbote on July 21 caused no reported damage, while a magnitude 5.1 quake near Chupaca on July 18 resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries.

July 21: Chimbote earthquake

The Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a magnitude 5.0 earthquake at 12:42 p.m. local time on July 21, with epicenter 162 km west of Chimbote in Áncash, at a depth of 28 km Source: infobae. The tremor was felt with intensity IV (moderate) in Chimbote Source: diariolibree. The Dirección de Hidrografía y Navegación ruled out a tsunami alert Source: infobae via EFE. No damages or casualties were reported Source: infobae.

July 18: Chupaca earthquake

On July 18, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck at 21:24 p.m., epicenter 7 km south of Chupaca in Junín, at a depth of 24 km, followed by a magnitude 3.7 aftershock 17 minutes later Source: euronewses. At least one person died in Chongos Bajo, and ten to eleven injuries were reported Source: eldiado. Damages included collapsed structures, power outages, and cracks in hospitals in Huancayo Source: mileniomx. Indeci reported that potential additional casualties are under verification Source: heraldomx.