Panama earthquake today: President declares ‘major disaster’ as buildings collapse and tremors shake ground | Today’s news
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, damaging buildings and roads across the Central American nation and prompting President Jose Raul Mulino to declare a major disaster. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The shallow earthquake was felt throughout Panama, which has a population of about 4.5 million, according to the National Civil Protection System. The tremor lasted about a minute, causing panic in several areas and forcing people to leave buildings, AFP reported.
Here’s what we know about the earthquake, the damage it caused, and its impact on transportation and shipping infrastructure.
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What caused the Panama earthquake?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at 1756 GMT and its epicenter was located 10 kilometers (6 mi) from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in central Herrera province.
The USGS initially estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 8.0, then revised it down to 7.7.
Tremors were felt across the country, including Panama City, which is about 200 kilometers from the epicenter. Residents reported intense shaking that prompted the evacuation of high-rise buildings.
“I was scared because the tremors were very strong and long-lasting. Heavy objects like dressers, the bed and all the kitchen utensils were shaking,” 46-year-old Salomon Andion told AFP after evacuating his 15-story building for the second time after the tremors.
Videos shared on social media showed water spilling from the rooftop pool of a building more than 20 stories high. Another video showed the Panama Canal Bridge shaking violently as vehicles crossed it.
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Which areas were most affected?
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino described the situation as a major disaster, citing extensive damage to infrastructure as the reason.
“We are facing a major disaster,” Mulino said, adding that some roads “have completely collapsed.”
Health Minister Fernando Boyd said the worst affected areas are the provinces of Herrera and Cocle, along with Los Santos in the southeast.
The town of Tonosi in Los Santos was completely cut off, complicating efforts to reach residents and assess the damage.
“We’re trying to figure out how to get there by air because it’s impossible by land,” Boyd said.
In Penonome, a town in the central province of Cocle, residents described terrifying scenes during the earthquake.
“It was terrible, like nothing we’ve ever experienced. My daughter was trapped in school,” Juana Alveo, a 38-year-old cashier at a store in Penonome, told AFP.
Former president Ricardo Martinelli also posted photos on Instagram showing his house in the town of Sona, Veraguas province, after it collapsed. Images shared by local media showed extensive damage to a church and hotel in Penonome.
President Mulino traveled to Penonome to coordinate the disaster response.
Were there tsunami warnings and aftershocks?
Authorities issued a tsunami warning for the eastern Pacific following the earthquake, but the warning was subsequently withdrawn.
The local geoscience institute recorded more than 80 aftershocks, including one with a magnitude above 6.0.
Repeated tremors prompted further evacuations, including in Panama City, where residents left high-rise buildings as a precaution.
Mulino urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unnecessary panic.
“What happened should not be used to cause alarm and disorder,” he wrote on X, adding that he had requested a report on the damage.
The Ministry of Education announced the suspension of classes in schools across the country.
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How did the earthquake affect the airport and the Panama Canal?
Panama City International Airport, the region’s main air hub, was temporarily closed after the earthquake.
The Civil Aviation Authority said several flights were diverted to other airports as a precaution.
Despite damage to roads and buildings, the Panama Canal Authority said shipping through the canal remained intact.
The authority confirmed that the waterway, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, is operating “as normal”.
The canal is a major international shipping route, so the state of its traffic is an important factor in assessing the wider transport and economic consequences of an earthquake.
How did the international community react?
The leaders of Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala sent messages of solidarity and offered assistance to Panama.
Authorities continued to coordinate the disaster response as they assessed damage and explored ways to reach isolated areas.
Are earthquakes common in Panama?
Earthquakes are rare in Panama and typically occur in the western province of Chiriqui, which borders Costa Rica.
The latest tremor is at least the fourth 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Latin America this year, following devastating tremors in Venezuela’s Guaira in June and a strong earthquake in western Colombia in August.
The extent of damage in Panama, the number of aftershocks and access to affected communities remained key concerns as authorities worked to assess the earthquake’s aftermath.
