Number of homeless from Peruvian quake climbs to 128

The number of people left homeless by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit southern Peru on Sunday has climbed to 128, the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) said Monday.

The number of injured people has also risen to eight, said the INDECI, adding that the quake has caused irreparable damage to 25 homes and left another 114 residences minorly damaged.

Also severely damaged or destroyed were six schools and a healthcare center in the towns of Amoca and Chavina, both located in the southern region of Ayacucho.

The quake was centered about 40 km northeast of Coracora, the capital of Parinacochas province in the Ayacucho region, and about 467 km southeast of the capital of Lima.

According to INDECI, authorities distributed tents, 600 kg of humanitarian aid, especially coats and blankets, and 300 kg of medications to residents in disaster areas.

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and members of his cabinet Monday visited the worst-hit areas.

Peru is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 85 percent of the planet's seismic activity is centered. So far this year, the South American country has registered 165 earthquakes of varying intensities.