Peru struck by powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake
A large earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 struck north-central Peru early on Sunday (local time), the US Geological survey reported.
The quake hit at a moderate depth of 114 kilometres struck at 2:41 am (local time), 80 kilometres southeast of the village of Lagunas and 158 kilometres east-northeast of the larger town of Yurimaguas.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or of major damage.
Earthquakes that are close to the surface generally cause more destruction.
The Peruvian government's emergency department tweeted it registered a magnitude of 7.2 for the quake.
In the capital of Lima, people ran out of their homes in fear.
Power cuts were reported in a number of Amazonian cities.
Earthquakes are frequent in Peru, which lies on the Pacific's so-called Ring of Fire.
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