A powerful earthquake hits northern Peru

According to the United States Geological Survey, a powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor has hit the northern part of Peru, just 42 kilometres (27 miles) north of the city of Barranca. At the same time, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a 7.3-magnitude quake. The epicentre of the tremor was located at a depth of 112.5 kilometres (almost 70 miles), according to the USGS.

No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor.

Several videos, purportedly depicting the moment of the earthquake, have since emerged online.

Peru is located in a seismically active area known as the Ring of Fire, which is regularly affected by powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to the movement of tectonic plates.