In a series of landslides in the southern region of Arequipa in Peru yesterday, at least 15 people were killed, while two more were missing and 20 were injured, according to the initial data of the authorities, who stressed that thousands of people were affected.

🇵🇪 Some footages from #Peru, landslides in #Arequipa. pic.twitter.com/vMSKvftWMF

— Natural Disasters ALERT (@NDisastersAlert) February 7, 2023

"The number of people who have lost their lives so far is 15," said the national civil protection institute in Arequipa, an area hit by mudslides and rockfalls on Sunday after torrential rains.

My deepest condolences and all my solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Secocha, Arequipa, who today suffer the consequences of heavy rains. The government must act immediately. Urge socorrer a las víctimas y enviar toda la ayuda necessaria! pic.twitter.com/869EOsY6IQ

– Patty Chirinos (@PattyChirinosVe) February 6, 2023

The Ministry of Defense announced via Twitter that it had sent helicopters, tents, water tanks, sandbags and disaster response personnel to the area.

#Arequipa Helicóptero del @EjercitoPeru partió del Fuerte Zamacola hacia Camaná, trasladando regional authorities and humanitarian aid, consistente en water y sacos terreros, entre otros, para atender emergency por huaico, según reporte del COES Mindef.#OurMissionElPerú(I.e. pic.twitter.com/ht7G8zEIz8

– Mindef Peru (@MindefPeru) February 6, 2023

The tragedy occurred amid a political crisis that has paralyzed Peru for the past two months, concentrated in the southern regions of the Andes, following the suspension of Congress and the arrest and detention of former president Pedro Castillo on December 7. In the mass mobilizations and riots that followed, dozens of people were killed and thousands were injured.