Dozens of houses have collapsed in Chongos Bajo, Chupaca province(Image: https://peru21.pe/)

Several people have died after a powerful earthquake struck Peru on Saturday night, prompting a major emergency response.

The magnitude 5.6 quake struck at a depth of 13.67 miles at around 9.24pm local time, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.

Dozens of houses collapsed in the worst hit district of Pumpunya as rescue crews raced to the scene, according to local media.

The quake's epicentre was around seven kilometres south of Chupaca and it was felt across Huancayo, Concepción, Jauja and other towns in the Mantaro Valley.

The death toll rose from two to five with authorities warning the number could continue to climb, Peru21 reported.

Police, firefighters, medical teams and local authorities were deployed to help those affected and recover victims from the area.

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