A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning and causing panic in the capital, while reports indicated structural damage in several central regions. No immediate casualties were reported.
According to Panama’s National Civil Protection System, the shallow tremor was felt across the Central American country, home to approximately 4.5 million people, and lasted for about a minute.
In Panama City, around 200 kilometres from the epicenter, residents rushed out of high-rise buildings as the shaking triggered widespread alarm. Videos circulating on social media, which AFP could not independently verify, reportedly showed water spilling from a rooftop swimming pool and a bridge over the Panama Canal shaking during the earthquake.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at 17:56 GMT, with its epicenter located about 10 kilometres from Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama.
Buildings Damaged, Flights Diverted
Damage appeared to be concentrated in the central regions of Herrera, Azuero, Veraguas and Los Santos. Local media reported that part of a hotel had collapsed in Penonome, while a church in the town sustained significant damage. Cracks were also reported in other buildings and on a road in Veraguas province.
Residents described scenes of panic as people evacuated buildings and power lines swayed during the tremor.
Panama City’s international airport was temporarily closed as a precaution, with several flights diverted to other airports, according to the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
The Panama Canal Authority, however, said shipping operations through the canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, remained unaffected and were operating normally.
Tsunami Warning and Aftershocks
The earthquake prompted a tsunami warning for Panama, alongside alerts about potentially dangerous waves along the coasts of other Latin American countries and parts of the South Pacific.
Panama’s geosciences institute recorded more than a dozen significant aftershocks, including one exceeding magnitude 6.0, raising concerns about further damage.
President Jose Raul Mulino appealed for calm and urged the public not to spread unnecessary alarm. He also requested a report assessing the damage caused by the earthquake.
The Education Ministry announced the suspension of classes in schools nationwide as authorities assessed the situation.
Earthquakes Uncommon in Panama
Earthquakes are relatively uncommon in Panama, with seismic activity more frequently reported in the western province of Chiriqui, which borders Costa Rica.
The latest earthquake adds to a series of powerful seismic events reported across Latin America during the year, including major earthquakes in Venezuela’s La Guaira region in June and western Colombia in August.
