PANAMA CITY: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake
struck southern Panama on Friday, damaging buildings and sending thousands of people into the streets. However, the country appeared to avoid widespread destruction, with no deaths or injuries immediately reported.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 12.6 kilometres, with its epicentre in a sparsely populated area about 200 kilometres from the capital, Panama City. More than 40 aftershocks followed the initial tremor.
Several buildings reportedly collapsed in Penonomé, where a church was also damaged. President Raúl Mulino travelled to the city to assess the situation. In Panama City, office workers evacuated buildings and faced heavy traffic as they tried to return home.
Despite the damage, the Panama Canal and Cobre Panama copper mine reported normal operations. Tocumen International Airport also lifted its temporary suspension of flights.
According to a USGS exposure report, around 43,000 people lived in areas facing at least severe exposure to the earthquake. Authorities continued assessing the impact as aftershocks rattled the country.