Peru was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake close to the border with Brazil, the US Geographical Survey (USGS) said Friday (August 24).

The massive quake struck 248km north-west of Puerto Maldonado, a city in south-eastern Peru, at 4:04am local time (10am BST).

The earthquake's epicentre was at a depth of 610km (379 miles), according to USGS data.

Earthquakes are common in Peru because the country lies the boundary of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates.

In January, two people were killed and almost 140 other people were injured when a separate 7.1 magnitude quake hit Peru's Arequipa region.

At least 74 people were killed in 2001 when a devastating 8.1 magnitude earthquake jolted southern Peru, triggering a tsunami.

Source: Daily Express

BDST: 1602 HRS, AUG 24, 2018
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