Key facts
- Panama declared a state of emergency following two earthquakes on Friday.
- The earthquakes measured 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude, with over 100 aftershocks recorded.
- Damage was reported in all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories.
- 27 people were injured, ranging from minor to moderate.
- Approximately 420 homes and 420 public schools were damaged.
- The US government pledged $5 million for humanitarian assistance.
Panama's government declared a state of emergency on Saturday following two powerful earthquakes and over 100 aftershocks that caused widespread damage across the country. The quakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude, toppled buildings and prompted evacuations.
Officials reported damage in all 10 of Panama's provinces and two Indigenous territories, with homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, and hotels among the affected structures. Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of the National Civil Protection System, stated that 27 people sustained injuries. The central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Cocle, and Los Santos experienced the most significant damage, with approximately 420 homes and an equal number of public schools damaged, along with seven hotels, 13 churches, and nine bridges.
In La Villa de Los Santos, a colonial-era community, homes and a historical church collapsed. Residents, like Tony Jiménez, whose home partially collapsed, described the experience as intense and unlike anything they had encountered in their lifetimes. Some communities remained cut off due to landslides and road damage, though no missing people were reported as of Saturday.
Carlos Valdés, head of seismology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, suggested that Panama's strict building codes may have contributed to the avoidance of widespread deaths. Leaders from across the region, including Chile, Uruguay, and Guatemala, offered support. The US Department of State mobilized a disaster response team and pledged $5 million for humanitarian assistance, with the US military delivering 2,000 pounds of food to affected populations.