Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes Panama, injuring at least 30
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Sunday, injuring at least 30 people, damaging hundreds of buildings, and triggering over 100 aftershocks across central provinces, emergency officials reported.
The tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers and was felt as far away as neighboring Colombia, sending thousands of residents fleeing into the streets from homes and offices.
Infrastructure damage and emergency response
Near the epicenter, severe structural damage was recorded across the central Azuero region and Coclé province. In the town of Penonomé, a cathedral steeple collapsed, while cracks forced several hospitals to evacuate patients and request mobile field units.
Authorities briefly issued a tsunami warning after coastal waters receded several meters, but the alert was lifted shortly afterward.
“We have reports of damaged government buildings across the Azuero region as well as the central provinces. In Coclé, damage was reported to churches, especially their domes, and to a hotel. No deaths have been reported so far,” said Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of the Civil Protection Agency.
Canal operations unaffected
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino called for calm and urged the public to act responsibly as emergency crews assessed cut-off communities where damaged roads and bridges disrupted transport.
“No one is ever prepared for a situation like this. Earthquakes do occur in Panama, but we are not accustomed to such a combination of quakes and tsunami alerts. The important thing is for people to act responsibly and refrain from spreading false or alarmist messages on social media,” said President Mulino.
The Panama Canal, a vital shipping lane linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was not affected by the earthquake and continued normal maritime operations, canal authorities confirmed.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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