Two earthquakes struck Peru's mountainous Junin region east of the capital Lima on Saturday night, killing at least five people and injuring 21, according to authorities. The National Seismological Center reported magnitudes of 5.1 and 3.7.

Photos on social media showed collapsed homes and rescue workers clearing rubble. Rescue operations continue as teams search for anyone still trapped under debris.

President-elect Keiko Fujimori expressed condolences on social media Sunday: "I deeply regret the consequences of the earthquake in Junin. I express my most heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have passed away and my solidarity with those affected."

Luis Vasquez, head of Peru's National Civil Defense Institute, told local radio that early reports indicate at least 48 homes were destroyed and 18 damaged, displacing about 300 people who are being provided with tents.

Exitosa radio reported five confirmed deaths citing authorities, while Reuters put the toll at six, citing the civil defense chief.

Homes in the town of Chupaca, about 300 km east of Lima, are often built with adobe mud bricks and prone to collapse. "The earthquake destroyed our home. Here there are many adobe houses that collapsed," a resident of Chongos Bajo told N television.

Peru lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a volcanic zone accounting for about 85% of the world's seismic activity. The first quake struck at a depth of 24 km, the second at 18 km.

Source: www.aljazeera.com