In brief
A powerful 7.7‑magnitude quake struck Panama just before 15:00 local time, sending shockwaves that were felt by 4.6 million people. The epicentre near Pitaloza Arriba caused widespread damage, with buildings collapsed in towns such as Penonomé and Soná. Shallow aftershocks have followed, and the event triggered tsunami warnings for Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile and Mexico. Evacuation orders were issued in Panama City and other areas, just days before a scheduled national drill. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage and any casualties.
A powerful 7.7‑magnitude earthquake shook Panama, damaging buildings and prompting a wide‑ranging tsunami warning for nearby countries.
Around 4.6 million people reported moderate to severe shaking, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, which warned that the effects were likely widespread.
The quake struck just before 15:00 local time (18:00 GMT) and, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, could trigger tsunamis in Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile and Mexico.
Its epicentre was about 6.2 miles (10 km) from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in south‑central Panama, with a series of shallow aftershocks following.
Unverified footage shared online shows collapsed buildings in Penonomé and Soná, while the shaking was shallow—only 12 km deep—making surface damage more severe.
The full extent of the damage and any casualties remain unclear as authorities assess the impact.
Many residents were evacuated from buildings in Panama City, about 200 km (124 miles) away, using the latest alert from the AFP.
The quake comes just three days before Panama’s scheduled national evacuation drill for a major earthquake, following earlier devastating quakes in Colombia and Venezuela.
