Homes destroyed and several dead after major earthquake

| Live News Reporter Published July 19, 2026 10:11am Updated July 19, 2026 10:12am To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Several people have died, and others are trapped in rubble after a magnitude 5.6 earthquake shook Peru last night. The quake was detected at a depth of almost 14 miles beneath the surface at 9.24pm near Chupaca, Peru. Shockwaves have continued to shake the region in recent hours as victims plead with authorities for support. Photos on the ground have shown stone buildings turned into rubble, with dead cattle and other animals beneath the destruction. Four people are dead, and others are searching for shelter, with temperatures of only 4 degrees celcius. Roads in the towns were cracked open by the aftershocks (Picture: X) In the town of Chongos Bajo, a 500-year-old stone statue crashed down into the town’s plaza. Cani Cruz is the focal point of an annual pilgrimage from Huancayo to Chongos Bajo. Local authorities are working to assess damage and rescue those trapped beneath the rubble. The quake comes weeks after a deadly earthquake rocked Venezuela, with over 50,000 people still missing. Buildings have become dangerous to stay in, with residents sleeping in the streets (Picture: X) The rare double strike, which were 39 seconds apart, was the strongest since 1900, according to the US Geological Survey. Buildings were reduced to rubble while videos showed people fleeing violently shaking areas. Thousands of people have been left homeless as a result. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. For more stories like this, check our news page. Arrow MORE: Powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes Mexico triggering tsunami alert Arrow MORE: Tsunami warning and immediate evacuation order issued after earthquake in New Zealand Arrow MORE: Woman gives birth under rubble to ‘miracle’ baby after Venezuela earthquake News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.