Panama rocked by 2 powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks, prompting evacuations

PANAMA CITY — Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 magnitudes, shook southern Panama on Friday afternoon, causing buildings to collapse and prompting evacuations throughout the country. The initial quake, centered approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, was initially reported by the USGS as magnitude 8, subsequently revised to 7.6 and finally to 7.7.

The tremor was also felt as far away as neighboring Colombia. Upon witnessing the quake, visibly shaken residents of Panama City, the capital, gathered outside as they awaited news of the earthquake's impact on Friday. Rosendo Domínguez, a 60-year-old resident from Herrera province, described feeling the quake very strongly, stating that objects had fallen in his kitchen but that he and his family were unharmed, though deeply shaken by the experience.

A series of aftershocks continued to shake Panama, including several measuring magnitudes 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2. Seismologists at the University warned that the aftershocks could potentially cause further damage and urged residents to remain vigilant and prepared for any additional seismic activity.