Key facts
- Two powerful earthquakes, magnitude 7.7 and 6.6, struck Panama on Friday.
- Buildings collapsed near the epicenter, and evacuations were prompted across the country.
- The quakes were felt as far away as Colombia.
- Over 45 aftershocks were recorded, with several measuring above magnitude 5.
- Damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos.
- The Panama Canal Authority reported normal operations.
Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 in magnitude, along with numerous aftershocks, struck Panama on Friday afternoon, causing buildings to collapse and prompting widespread evacuations. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter of the initial 7.7 magnitude quake was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in the central Herrera province, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The tremors were felt as far away as neighboring Colombia. Residents in Panama City, the capital, gathered outside their homes, visibly shaken. Rosendo Domínguez, a resident from Herrera province, described the strong shaking and items being knocked over in his kitchen, expressing fear but confirming he was unharmed.
Multiple aftershocks continued to rattle the region, with several registering magnitudes of 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2. Seismologists at the University of Panama recorded over 45 aftershocks, though many were too weak to be felt.
Images circulating on social media depicted crumbling buildings and deep fissures in roads, adding to fears in a region that has experienced devastating earthquakes recently. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino urged citizens to remain calm. Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service stated that damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. One injury was reported in Penonomé, where a person was struck by debris from a partially collapsed structure. The cathedral in Penonomé, the governor's office building, and the Dos Continentes hotel also sustained damage. The Church of San Atanasio in Los Santos province reportedly collapsed.
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City temporarily suspended operations following the first quake but later announced its reopening. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that operations along the trade route continued normally, with specialized teams inspecting facilities for any potential damage.