The earthquake struck at 9:24 p.m. local time, with its epicenter about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) west-southwest of the city of Sicaya in Huancayo province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), making it a relatively shallow earthquake capable of producing stronger ground shaking near the surface.

Peru’s National Civil Defense Institute said rescue teams were still assessing affected communities, and authorities had not yet determined how many people remained missing.

Historic Buildings Among Those Damaged

The earthquake damaged or destroyed numerous buildings across the region.

Among the hardest-hit sites was the historic Santiago de León Church and former convent in Chongos Bajo, a religious complex built in 1565 and recognized as a national cultural heritage site.

Officials also reported damage to homes, public buildings and local infrastructure in several nearby communities.

Luis Vásquez, head of the local civil defense office, said the widespread use of traditional adobe construction contributed significantly to the destruction because such buildings are especially vulnerable to earthquake damage.

Hundreds Forced From Their Homes

Emergency officials said about 300 residents were displaced after their homes became unsafe.

Television footage from local broadcasters showed families spending the night outdoors wrapped in blankets while authorities inspected damaged buildings. In the agricultural community of Chongos Bajo, rescuers also worked to free livestock trapped beneath collapsed structures.

“My home has been destroyed,” resident Hermenegilda Guamalato told a local radio station as she searched for temporary shelter with her three children in neighboring Huayucachi.

Emergency crews continued inspecting damaged structures Sunday while searching for anyone who may still be trapped or unaccounted for.

Peru Lies Along One of the World’s Most Active Seismic Zones

Peru experiences frequent earthquakes because it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast belt of seismic and volcanic activity that stretches around the Pacific Ocean where several tectonic plates meet.

The latest earthquake also revived memories of one of Peru’s deadliest modern disasters. In 2007, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck the southern province of Pisco, killing nearly 600 people and causing widespread destruction across the Ica region.

Authorities said rescue operations and structural assessments would continue until every affected community had been inspected and all missing persons had been accounted for.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Peru | Earthquake | Andes | Natural Disaster | Emergency Response | Huancayo | Chongos Bajo | Seismic Activity

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The increasing demand for assistance comes as the United Nations has appealed for approximately $300 million to support 1.3 million people in urgent need following the disaster, which devastated much of the northern state of La Guaira.

Mobile clinics, field hospitals and community kitchens now operate throughout affected areas, providing medical treatment and emergency assistance to thousands of displaced residents.

Long-term health needs emerge

Tom Fletcher, the United Nations’ emergency relief chief, said medical needs have shifted from emergency trauma care toward the treatment of chronic illnesses that were interrupted by the disaster.

“It is clear at displacement sites that, particularly after two weeks, that people are turning up because they haven’t been able to get their other treatments,” Fletcher told The Associated Press during a visit to Venezuela.

“So, they’re not turning up with just the fractures now, they’re turning up with those longer-term health needs. And it’s vital that we’re there for them.”

Doctors working in Catia La Mar reported increasing cases of skin diseases, diarrheal illnesses and requests for medications used to treat chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Medical workers said many of the illnesses are linked to overcrowded temporary shelters and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation—problems that existed in some communities even before the earthquakes.

Thousands remain displaced

Among those seeking treatment was 67-year-old Irma Echarri, who visited a mobile medical unit hoping to replace prescription eye drops and pain medication while also seeking care for persistent pain in her nose following the June 24 earthquakes.

“It hurts a lot,” Echarri said while waiting for treatment. “It hurts because it hurts.”

Although her home remained standing, many of her neighbors continue living in temporary shelters or outdoors after the earthquakes destroyed 190 buildings and damaged another 856, according to Venezuelan authorities.

Officials said the twin earthquakes killed 3,889 people and left roughly 18,000 residents homeless.

Many displaced families are now sheltering in schools, parks, sidewalks, plazas and other public spaces.

International aid effort expands

Fletcher said the United States has so far provided the largest share of international earthquake-response assistance, while much of the relief effort is being delivered by Venezuelan organizations working alongside global humanitarian agencies.

One beneficiary, 41-year-old Zulbey Reyes, sought treatment at a clinic operated by Venezuelan organization Paluz in partnership with the International Rescue Committee after developing chest pain following the disaster.

Having also lost her job as a nanny because of the earthquakes, Reyes said doctors determined her pain was caused by inflammation rather than heart disease.

“I thought it was my heart that was sick,” she said. “But it’s a nerve that became inflamed after the screams that day.”

Health system under pressure

Armando Denegri, the Pan American Health Organization’s representative in Venezuela, said half of La Guaira’s healthcare professionals were directly affected by the earthquakes.

“Some disappeared, some died, others were severely affected by the crisis, impacting their families,” Denegri told reporters, without providing further details.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has estimated that direct damage to housing and infrastructure totals about $37 billion.

Shift in government approach

The widespread presence of humanitarian organizations marks a significant change from recent years, when nongovernmental organizations often faced accusations of anti-government activity and restrictions under the administration of former President Nicolás Maduro, during which current acting President Delcy Rodríguez served as vice president.

Fletcher said the current emergency has encouraged cooperation despite previous political tensions.

“When you have a crisis of this magnitude, people put the politics to one side and are able to focus on saving as many lives as possible, and that’s what I’m seeing so far in this response,” he said.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Venezuela | Earthquake | Humanitarian Crisis | United Nations | La Guaira | Public Health | Disaster Relief | Latin America

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Published: September 23, 2025, 04:30 EDT

Residents across the San Francisco Bay Area were awakened early Monday by a moderate earthquake centered near Berkeley. The 4.3 magnitude tremor caused minor property damage and disrupted transit, but no serious injuries were reported. Officials emphasized that such quakes are common in the region and typically cause limited impact.

Earthquake Details

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck just before 3 a.m., east-southeast of Berkeley, across the bay from San Francisco. The tremor was widely felt throughout the Bay Area, including in cities such as Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek.

Brayden Murdock, a seismologist with the National Weather Service in Monterey, noted, “As far as earthquakes go, this is the kind where people feel them, but there’s not a whole lot of impacts.”

Reports of Damage and Disruption

While no injuries were reported, several businesses experienced minor damage. Windows were broken, and merchandise fell from shelves in some stores.

Dave Clark, a news anchor for KTVU-TV in Oakland, shared his firsthand experience on social media: “Things were shaking in our newsroom. It caught everyone off guard.”

Impact on Transportation

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains experienced delays for several hours as crews conducted safety inspections across the system. Service returned to normal around midday, according to BART officials.

The USGS reported that the earthquake’s effects were felt as far as Salinas, roughly 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Berkeley, demonstrating the broad reach of moderate quakes in Northern California.

Regional Seismic Context

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most seismically active regions in the United States. The last earthquake of similar magnitude near Berkeley occurred on January 4, 2018, registering 4.4 on the Richter scale.

Experts emphasize that moderate earthquakes are common in the region and usually do not cause serious damage, but they serve as reminders for residents and businesses to maintain earthquake preparedness measures.

Safety and Preparedness Recommendations

Authorities encourage residents to review earthquake safety protocols, secure heavy furniture, and maintain emergency supplies. Local emergency management agencies also stress the importance of remaining calm during tremors and following official updates from trusted sources such as the USGS and city authorities.

Outlook

While this 4.3 magnitude earthquake caused limited damage, it highlights the importance of ongoing preparedness in the Bay Area. Experts continue to monitor seismic activity and advise residents to stay informed about potential aftershocks.

Source: AP News –Residents of San Francisco Bay Area jolted awake by 4.3 magnitude earthquake

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