A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, shaking skyscrapers in the capital, collapsing structures in central regions, and triggering a tsunami warning for coastal areas.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the seismic event at 17:56 GMT at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). The epicenter was located roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the south-central town of Pitaloza Arriba, approximately 200 kilometers from Panama City.
The earthquake lasted for roughly one minute and was felt across the nation of 4.5 million people. In Panama City, office workers and residents evacuated high-rise structures in panic as buildings swayed.
While extensive property damage is expected, no initial casualties were reported immediately following the event.
Following the quake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a warning for the Panamanian coastline, cautioning that tsunami waves reaching up to three meters (10 feet) above tide level could strike coastal areas. Warnings for smaller but potentially hazardous waves were also extended along other Latin American and South Pacific coasts.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino addressed the nation via social media, appealing for public composure while emergency services assessed the situation.
Earthquakes are relatively rare in central Panama, with most seismic activity historically concentrated in the western Chiriquí province near the border with Costa Rica. However, Friday’s quake marks the fourth earthquake in Latin America this year to exceed a 7.0 magnitude, following major seismic events in Venezuela in June and Colombia in August.
