5.6 magnitude quake jolts Peru

An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter Scale rattled Peru on Friday.

The quake struck 169 km north of Barranca at around 9:26 pm (UTC). The temblor was situated at a depth of 99 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

No tsunami warning has been issued and no casualties or damage to property has been reported so far.

Peru is situated on the 'Ring of Fire', an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean which is vulnerable to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Further details in the matter are awaited.

On January 14 last year, two people died and over 120 people sustained injuries when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Arequipa coastal area. The temblor destroyed hundreds of buildings and left thousands of others displaced.