6.9 magnitude earthquake hits central Peru

LIMA, Peru - A large 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck a sparsely populated area of central Peru, the U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, said Mario Casareto, spokesman for Peru's fire agency. He said authorities were still surveying the region, including the Ayacucho area where the quake was centered.

The seismological service initially reported the magnitude as 7, but revised it downward to 6.9 in a subsequent report. According to the survey's updated figures, the quake occurred at 7:21 p.m. EDT Sunday and was centered about 27 miles east-northeast of an area called Tambo, and about 290 miles southeast of the capital of Lima. It had a depth of 62.8 miles, the survey said.

Local media said that the quake was felt in parts of Lima and in many major cities of southeastern Peru, including Cuzco and Arequipa.