Panama earthquake today: President declares ‘major disaster’ as buildings collapse and aftershocks rattle country
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Panama, prompting President Jose Raul Mulino to declare a major disaster. Roads and buildings collapsed, flights were diverted and more than 80 aftershocks were recorded, although shipping through the Panama Canal continued normally.
On Friday, Panama was struck by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake, causing significant damage and triggering a declaration of a major disaster by President Jose Raul Mulino. The quake, which lasted about a minute, was felt across the country of around 4.5 million people. The epicentre was located 10 kilometres from Pitaloza Arriba in central Herrera province.
While there were no immediate reports of casualties, the tremor prompted panic and led to widespread evacuations, particularly from high-rise buildings. Videos on social media showed the quake's impact, with heavy objects shaking and a bridge over the Panama Canal swaying as vehicles passed. Panama City, located around 200 kilometres from the epicentre, experienced intense shaking, and residents described the shaking as "very strong and prolonged."
The health ministry reported that Herrera and Cocle provinces, along with Los Santos in the southeast, were the worst-affected areas, with the town of Tonosi in Los Santos becoming completely isolated. A tsunami warning was initially issued for the eastern Pacific but was later lifted. President Mulino traveled to Penonome to coordinate disaster response efforts, while authorities lifted the tsunami warning.
The earthquake triggered over 80 aftershocks, including one above magnitude 6.0. Despite the heavy damage to infrastructure, Panama's international airport remained operational, and the Panama Canal, an essential international shipping route, continued to function normally.
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