Earthquakes are fairly common in Peru but this one hit at a shallow depth of eight kilometres. PHOTO: EURORADIO
The toll from Sunday night's quake in the southern Arequipa region might rise after about 50 homes collapsed and roads were cut off, the official told AFP.
Earthquakes are fairly common in Peru but this one hit at a shallow depth of eight kilometres (five miles) so damage could be heavy near the epicentre.
The epicentre was 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the city of Chivay, capital of Caylloma province, according to the Geophysical Institute of Peru. Two aftershocks hit Monday morning.
The quake caused damage throughout an area of Arequipa called the Colca Valley, and several villages have been cut off.
"We are asking for heavy machinery to gain access. There are fatalities," the mayor of Caylloma, Romulo Tinta, told RPP radio.
More than 80 homes have been left uninhabitable, but crews cannot reach the epicentre, said the governor of Arequipa region, Yamila Osorio.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ