Major Earthquake Hits Panama's Southern Region

On Friday morning, a strong magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near the southern tip of Panama, about 7 miles southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake, occurring at a depth of approximately 7 miles, caused significant tremors felt over 100 miles away in the nation’s capital, Panama City.

Tsunami Warning Issued for Panama Coast

Following the earthquake, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that tsunami waves ranging between 3 and 9 feet were possible along Panama’s coast. This precaution led authorities and residents to remain alert in affected areas, although no casualties were immediately reported.

Evacuations and Local Response

As buildings swayed in Panama City due to the seismic activity, people evacuated into the streets. Residents, visibly shaken, gathered outside as they awaited news about the earthquake's impact. Among those affected, Rosendo Domínguez, a 60-year-old from Herrera province, reported, “We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we're OK, though we're very scared.” He described how everyone was outside and fearful following the event.

Assessment of Structural Damage and Affected Provinces

Omar Smith, representing Panama’s National Civil Protection Service, stated on the Telemetro Reporta news channel that structural damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. In Panama City, there were no immediate reports of damage despite its many skyscrapers. Elsewhere, local news footage showed the collapse of a Catholic cathedral and a portion of a hotel’s facade falling onto a car in Penonomé, located in the central province of Coclé.

Aftershocks Continue in Affected Areas

In the aftermath of the initial earthquake, the USGS recorded two aftershocks measuring 5.8 and 5.5. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as Panama's Civil Protection investigates possible damage in regions close to the quake epicenter. The country's president, José Raúl Mulino, called for calm in a social media statement, emphasizing that the incident should not lead to alarm or disorder.

Sitting on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire"

Panama is located along the Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin, known for hosting the majority of the world’s seismic activity and earthquakes. This geological position means the country is at risk for such natural disasters, but authorities are continuing to manage the response and assess for any further structural damage.

Source: cbsnews.com.