7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Panama, Damaging Homes but Not Canal

PANAMA CITY: A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near the southern coast of Panama on Friday, occurring at a depth of 12.6 kilometers (7.8 miles), as reported by the US Geological Survey. The quake caused damage to several buildings but did not disrupt operations at the vital Panama Canal trade waterway.

In a nation where such strong earthquakes are uncommon, television footage captured the distress of elderly residents, some reduced to tears as aftershocks continued to rattle the country. Ricardo Brown, 74, from the Las Minas area in Herrera province, expressed his fears, stating, “We’re scared. It’s just the two of us old folks here. The house has cracked, and we’re afraid it could fall on us.” Reports of damage have also emerged from Chitre, the capital of Herrera, and coastal areas in Los Santos province.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the rural community of La Pitaloza, a sparsely populated region close to the Pacific coastline. Tremors were felt as far away as San Jose, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, highlighting the quake’s significant reach. Omar Smith, head of Panama’s civil protection agency, confirmed that impacts were reported in multiple locations, emphasizing the need for ongoing assessments.

Authorities are expected to conduct further evaluations of the damage and provide assistance to affected residents. The government is also likely to hold meetings to discuss emergency response strategies and ensure the safety of the population in the wake of this natural disaster.