60 lightly injured in Peru earthquake

LIMA: About 60 people were lightly injured in Peru when a strong earthquake shook the south-central part of the country near the coast early Monday, officials said.

"The number of injured treated by local hospitals and clinics totals 60," regional president Alonso Navarro told local radio after a tour of the area.

The injuries included broken bones, concussion and cuts caused by falling objects, officials said. None of the injuries is considered life-threatening.

The Peruvian Institute of Geophysics put the strength of the quake at 6.2.

However, US government researchers said the earthquake measured 6.3.

The epicenter of the tremor, which occurred at 00:11 am (0511 GMT), was 23 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of the town of Ica, the US Geological Survey said. (AFP)