Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Panama

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, causing widespread panic and damage to buildings and roads. The quake, which lasted around a minute, was felt across the Central American nation of around 4.5 million people. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter was located 10 kilometers from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama.

The earthquake caused scenes of panic in Panama City, with people rushing to evacuate from skyscrapers. Videos shared on social media showed water falling from a pool at the top of a building over 20 stories tall and a bridge over the Panama Canal shaking violently but remaining upright as vehicles travelled across it. Buildings and roads collapsed in the center of the country, with damage reported in several provinces, including Penonomé, Chitré, and Venao.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, although inspections were continuing and authorities had not ruled out injuries or people trapped. The National Civil Protection System reported damage to buildings, including the cathedral of San Juan Bautista, the governor's office, and a hotel. The Education Ministry cancelled afternoon classes nationwide, public offices were closed, and water supply was cut in some areas due to power failures. The Panama Canal Authority said the waterway was operating normally.

Brief written by urgent.news from CBC News, Hindustan Times - World News, MercoPress, Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.