Panama declares a state of emergency as powerful quake aftershocks rattle communities
LA VILLA DE LOS SANTOS, Panama (AP) — The government of Panama declared a state of emergency Saturday as the aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that roiled the country shook communities for hours. Officials did not attribute any deaths to the quakes but reported damages in all 10 of Panama's provinces and two Indigenous territories.
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday amid the aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Friday. The 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes caused widespread damage across all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories in Panama. Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac announced the emergency during a news conference in Panama City, reporting that homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, and hotels were among the structures affected.
Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of the National Civil Protection System, stated that there were reports of 27 injuries, with most of the damage concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Cocle, and Los Santos. Hotels, at least 13 churches, and nine bridges were among the structures damaged. In La Villa de Los Santos, a colonial-era community, homes and a historical Catholic church collapsed.
The earthquakes caused rising sea levels to prompt evacuations on Isla Caña, and a shelter in Penonomé was housing 13 people, including five children. Panamanian officials praised the country's strict building codes for helping limit casualties, while U.S. officials pledged $5 million in humanitarian assistance and deployed a disaster response team to assist local authorities.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Panama Declares State of Emergency After 7.7 Quake riotimesonline.com
