Powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hits Panama, damaging buildings

A massive magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck Panama, causing widespread panic, damaging buildings, and prompting urgent tsunami warnings across several neighboring countries. According to the US Geological Survey, approximately 4.6 million people felt moderate to severe shaking as a result of the powerful tremor. The disaster occurred just before 15:00 local time, striking a region that has recently experienced heightened seismic activity.

The earthquake's epicenter was located roughly 6.2 miles from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama. Seismologists reported that the quake occurred at a shallow depth of just 12 kilometers. Because shallow earthquakes typically cause more severe ground motion and surface destruction than deeper ones, the US Geological Survey immediately noted that the effects of the disaster were likely to be extensive.

In the wake of the initial shock, the US Tsunami Warning System issued warnings for potential tsunami waves affecting nearby nations, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, and Mexico. Coastal communities were placed on high alert as authorities monitored sea level fluctuations and evaluated the immediate threat to human lives and infrastructure along the Pacific coast.

Unverified footage circulating online appeared to show collapsed buildings and structural damage in towns such as Penonomé and Soná. Meanwhile, in the capital, Panama City, located about 200 kilometers away from the epicenter, people poured out onto the streets following evacuations from office buildings and medical facilities. Notably, images emerged of people standing outside the maternity ward of the Santo Tomas hospital as medical staff ensured the safety of patients.

The timing of the earthquake has drawn significant attention, as it occurred merely three days before Panama was scheduled to hold a nationwide evacuation drill designed to prepare the populace for a major seismic event. Additionally, the disaster follows a series of notable earthquakes that struck other parts of South and Central America, including Colombia and Venezuela, earlier in the year, highlighting the active seismic nature of the region.

As emergency response teams attempt to reach affected areas and assess the situation, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Officials have not yet confirmed the total number of casualties, though rescue operations are underway in the hardest-hit zones. Authorities continue to urge residents to remain cautious, heed tsunami warnings, and stay away from damaged structures as a series of shallow aftershocks continue to rattle the region.