A fresh 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck 7 km north of La Tronosa in Panama, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported, following a powerful quake that shook the country’s southern coast on Friday. The earlier tremor sent people rushing out of shopping malls and buildings as the ground shook, while videos circulating on social media showed a television broadcast being interrupted and residents fleeing to safety.The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 8.0 before revising it to 7.6. Other reports put the magnitude at 7.7. The quake struck at a depth of around 10 kilometres, with its epicentre about 200 kilometres southwest of Panama City.Footage shared on social media showed people evacuating buildings and gathering outdoors amid fears of further tremors. In Penonomé, a city between the epicentre and the capital, videos showed vehicles and trees swaying during the earthquake.The tremors prompted precautionary evacuations, while schools were closed and two metro lines in Panama City were suspended for safety checks. The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Costa Rica, according to Reuters.Despite the intensity of the shaking, Panama appeared to have avoided widespread destruction in the immediate aftermath. President Raul Mulino said no deaths had been documented as of Friday evening, although he cautioned that the situation could change as assessments continued.
Buildings damaged, residents flee outdoors
The earthquake caused damage in several provinces, including Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, according to Panama’s civil protection service, as reported by The Associated Press.Omar Smith of the civil protection service said several people had been injured, including one person struck by debris in Penonomé. Cracks were also reported along roads in Veraguas.In Penonomé, the bell tower of a cathedral collapsed, while other buildings were damaged. President Mulino travelled to the city to assess the situation.In Panama City, residents rushed into streets, parks and open spaces as a precaution. Offices and commercial buildings were evacuated, with people remaining outdoors amid concerns about aftershocks.Rosendo Domínguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, told AP by phone that objects had fallen over in his kitchen.“Everyone is outside, scared,” he said.A resident of the San Francisco district of Panama City also described the shaking as strong enough to make buildings sway and send water spilling out of swimming pools.
Tsunami alerts issued, then lifted
The earthquake prompted tsunami alerts across parts of Central and South America. The US Tsunami Warning System initially identified a potential threat to coastal areas of Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador.The US Embassy in Panama warned that aftershocks capable of causing damage could follow the earthquake and cautioned people near the coast about possible surges and strong currents.“Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges may occur along the shore,” the embassy said, advising people in affected areas to stay away from damaged structures and follow official guidance.The tsunami warning for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala was subsequently lifted, AP reported. Alerts for El Salvador and Chile’s Easter Island were also lifted.Nestor Luque of the University of Panama said waves of one to three metres were expected near Isla Canas and the southern coast of Los Santos. Seawater was also reported to have reached homes on Isla Canas.
Airport reopens, Panama Canal operational
Tocumen International Airport resumed operations on Friday afternoon after a temporary suspension. The Panama Canal Authority said canal operations continued as normal while teams inspected facilities for potential damage.More than 40 aftershocks were reported following the main earthquake, Reuters said. AP reported that some measured magnitudes of 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2.The USGS estimated that around 43,000 people in Panama lived in areas exposed to severe or greater shaking. It also projected potential economic losses ranging from 1% to 10% of the country’s gross domestic product.Electricity provider Naturgy reported power outages across six provinces.Panama was scheduled to conduct a nationwide evacuation drill the following Monday to test emergency preparedness.
