Expertos advierten que el próximo gran terremoto en Perú es solo cuestión de tiempo

The devastating earthquake in Venezuela has once again raised alarms in Peru. Risk management and engineering specialists warn that the country is unprepared to face an 8.8 magnitude earthquake, an event that could cause more than 110,000 deaths, two million injuries, the collapse of thousands of homes, and a tsunami with waves up to 20 meters high on the central coast. The scenario is worrisome due to the prolonged seismic gap off the Peruvian coast and deficiencies in urban planning and disaster prevention. As is well known, Peru is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active zones on the planet, where approximately 85% of the world's earthquakes occur. Furthermore, experts point out that the country faces a scenario of multiple threats, since the seismic risk is compounded by the El Niño phenomenon, increasing the vulnerability of thousands of families. The specialists explain that off the coast of Lima there is a segment of approximately 450 kilometers with the potential to generate an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. However, they warn that the greatest danger will not only be the earthquake itself, but also the vulnerability accumulated over decades due to informal construction, uncontrolled urban growth, and a lack of territorial planning. According to Fredy Morán, president of the Risk Management Commission of the College of Engineers of Peru, 81% of local governments do not have adequate knowledge of the characteristics of their territory, and 61% of municipalities lack disaster risk prevention and reduction plans. The impact of an event of this magnitude would extend far beyond the collapse of buildings. According to Morán, a major earthquake could cause the disruption of basic services, the collapse of communications, the isolation of entire cities, and the arrival of a tsunami with waves up to 20 meters high in some coastal areas. PREVENTION REMAINS THE MAIN DEBT Experts warn that the country also lacks sufficient infrastructure to handle an emergency with tens of thousands of victims, as well as adequate spaces for evacuation and recovery processes. Countries like Chile and Japan have managed to reduce the impact of major earthquakes thanks to strict building codes, urban planning, ongoing drills, and a culture of prevention. In contrast, engineers maintain that Peru has significant gaps in infrastructure, maintenance, land management, and citizen preparedness—factors that could worsen the consequences of a future disaster. Engineer Fredy Morán and political scientist Luis Núñez insist that the next major earthquake in Peru is not a distant possibility, but an event that will occur sooner or later. Therefore, they urge national, regional, and municipal authorities to prioritize disaster risk management, strengthen prevention plans, and promote a greater culture of preparedness, warning that when a major earthquake strikes, there will be no time for improvisation. #KeikoFujimori #RobertoSanchez #PeruElections2026 #TogetherForPeru #SenatorsElected #JNE #PopularForce #PeruvianPolitics #Congress2026 #PeruNews