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A 7.6-magnitude quake strikes Panama; buildings evacuated, authorities assess damage and ensure public safety amid ongoing emergency response.
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Panama’s southern tip on Friday morning, with the US Geological Survey placing the epicentre about 14 kilometres southwest of the community of Pitaloza Arriba. Tremors were felt as far as Panama City, where buildings shook and residents rushed into the streets awaiting further information.
Local residents gathered outside following the shaking while authorities initiated assessments of potential damage in areas close to the epicentre. Panamanian emergency services reported they were evaluating the impact, and local media indicated the quake was also felt in parts of neighbouring Colombia.
The US Geological Survey provided the location and magnitude details used in official assessments, and civil protection agencies focused initial efforts on damage evaluation near the epicentre and public safety measures in populated areas that experienced noticeable shaking.
The 7.6-magnitude quake underscores the seismic vulnerability of the southern regions of Panama and highlights the need for rapid damage assessment and public safety responses in affected communities. Widespread shaking reaching the capital demonstrates how seismic events near remote areas can have broader urban impacts, prompting evacuations and immediate mobilization of civil protection resources.