A 5.1-magnitude earthquake has severely damaged the 16th-century Iglesia Apóstol Santiago in Peru’s JunÃn region earlier in July, causing part of the roof and façade of the colonial church to collapse.
The historic church, which is recognized as a Peruvian cultural heritage site, sustained significant structural damage during the earthquake. Authorities have warned that its 30-meter bell tower is now at risk of collapsing, while several historic altars inside the building were also damaged.
Historic Church Suffers Extensive Damage
In addition to the damage to the church, a 1.5-meter statue in the neighboring town square toppled during the earthquake. About one kilometer away, a wall belonging to a nearby chapel also collapsed.
The earthquake struck the JunÃn region in central Peru, where emergency teams are continuing to assess the extent of the damage to historic buildings and cultural landmarks.
Emergency Conservation Work Underway
Staff from Peru’s Ministry of Culture, assisted by volunteers, are clearing debris and relocating religious images and artifacts to safe locations. Specialists have also begun emergency work to protect the church’s historic altars from exposure to sunlight before the rainy season begins in August.
The priority is to stabilize the damaged structure and preserve its cultural treasures while engineers evaluate the building’s condition.
Fundraising Campaign Launched
Local priest Ricardo Ocharán has launched a fundraising campaign to help finance the restoration of the church. According to his estimates, replacing the roof alone will cost more than $400,000.
He said the full restoration could take up to two years. However, neither the local archdiocese nor Peru’s Ministry of Culture currently has sufficient funding to carry out the work. A comprehensive restoration project, including a detailed assessment of repair costs for both the building and its historic artifacts, will be prepared at a later stage.
Japan Also Hit by Powerful Earthquake
Japan was struck by a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday. The quake hit Kumamoto Prefecture on the southern island of Kyushu, triggering a tsunami advisory that was later lifted. Authorities reported widespread damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure, while rescue operations were launched after part of a shopping mall collapsed, trapping people inside. Hundreds of thousands of residents were advised to evacuate as emergency crews responded to the disaster.
