PANAMA CITY, Panama | Two powerful earthquakes and dozens of aftershocks shook Panama on Friday, damaging buildings, prompting evacuations and briefly raising tsunami concerns, although authorities reported no confirmed fatalities in initial assessments.
The strongest earthquake struck southern Panama near Pitaloza Arriba on October 9. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured it at magnitude 7.7, with a shallow depth of about 12.6 kilometers. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also recorded a magnitude 8.0 estimate for the event, reflecting differences in preliminary measurements. A second major tremor, measured at magnitude 6.6, followed several hours later.
The Associated Press and Reuters reported damage in several central provinces, including Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas. Buildings were damaged or partially collapsed, while residents fled homes, offices and shopping centers as the ground shook. More than 40 aftershocks were recorded, keeping communities on alert.
Authorities temporarily halted operations at Tocumen International Airport as safety checks were conducted, but airport operations resumed later. The Panama Canal continued operating, with inspections carried out to check infrastructure for possible damage. Power disruptions were also reported in several provinces.
A tsunami warning was issued after the initial earthquake but later lifted. The US Tsunami Warning Centers subsequently reported that no tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat remained in effect for the event. Officials urged residents in affected areas to follow emergency instructions and remain cautious around damaged structures.
Panama President José Raúl Mulino called for calm as emergency agencies assessed the damage and coordinated the response. The government also moved to inspect public buildings and other critical infrastructure.
Panama lies in a seismically active region influenced by the movement and interaction of several tectonic plates, including the Cocos, Nazca, Caribbean and South American plates. The country is part of the wider Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Its southern Pacific coast is particularly exposed to seismic hazards.
Although the earthquakes caused alarm and localized damage, initial reports indicated that the country had avoided widespread destruction. Authorities continued assessing affected communities as aftershocks persisted, with the full extent of the damage still being established.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
