The Fernando Belaunde Highway in Peru has been severely damaged by multiple landslides and unstable hill slides caused by an earthquake.

The earthquake, which measured 6.4 on the Richter scale, struck the region late last Tuesday night.

It has been followed up by cracking in the ground and avalanches, which left this Amazonian highway over the Utcubamba River in a perilous state.             

Many took the chance and crossed on foot as they weaved between debris left by the landslides.

One man said the authorities should step-in to help people cross.             

[Unidentified Traveler]:
"The petition I am making to the civil defense authorities is that they please ask the central government to send a helicopter to move the people. How can they cross under these conditions, what happens if there is an aftershock?"

Authorities were working to create a parallel route and also to clear debris, which has fallen into the river putting areas at risk of flooding.