Magnitude 6.4 quake hits off Peru coast

LIMA, Oct 20 (Reuters) A 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit near the coast of central Peru today, shaking three cities and causing some light damage but no injuries were reported, Peru's Geophysical Institute said.

The quake struck at 5:48 am (16:19 IST) with an epicenter 90 km northwest of the city of Pisco, at a depth of 43 km. The US Geological Survey reported the quake was of a 6.5 magnitude at a depth of 33 km.

''Some light damage to houses in Pisco has been reported but there are no deaths or injuries,'' institute director Hernando Tavera said. The quake could also be felt in the capital Lima and the city of Camana.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that people along coasts within 100 km of the epicenter should be aware of the threat of a local tsunami, although there was no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami.

''There is a very small risk of a destructive local tsnuami but we are continuing to monitor sea levels,'' said Stuart Weinstein, deputy director of the Hawaii-based center.

''Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter,'' the warning center said on its Web site.

Quakes are common in Peru and the last strong quake to hit the South American country took place in September 2005 in the northern jungle. The 7.5 magnitude quake killed several people and left many homeless.

REUTERS BDP VV1930