5.9 magnitude earthquake shakes mountainous area near Humahuaca

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake shock a mountainous area near the tourist town of Humahuaca on Sunday at around 1.40pm, the National Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES) reported.

Thankfully, there were no reports of damage or casualties.

The quake shook an area 17 kilometres deep, located between the northern provinces of Jujuy and Salta, INPRES said, putting the epicentre just 34 kilometres east of the famous Quebrada de Humahuaca, a popular tourist site of great natural beauty. The region lies around 1,70 kilometres north of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires.

INPRES also said it registered a previous earthquake, at 3.2 on the Richter scale, half an hour beforehand.

According to the institute, the quake's intensity was felt most in Orán and General San Martín (Jujuy), while some felt it in San Salvador de Jujuy and the city of Salta. 

– TIMES/PERFIL