The Los Angeles County Fire Department is sending its elite international urban search‑and‑rescue team, designated USA‑02, to Panama after two strong earthquakes struck the nation on Friday. The deployment was ordered by the U.S. Department of State, marking the department’s third overseas mission this year.
Quake details and local impact
Panama experienced a magnitude 7.7 quake near the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, about 122 miles southwest of Panama City, followed shortly by a 6.6‑magnitude aftershock. Buildings in the affected area collapsed, prompting evacuations. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino reported no confirmed deaths or injuries as of Friday evening, though the situation remains fluid.
Why Panama fared better
Seismologists attribute the relatively low casualty count to Panama’s strict building codes, especially for high‑rise structures. This contrasts sharply with recent disasters in Venezuela and Colombia, where similar‑magnitude quakes caused thousands of deaths and widespread homelessness.
LA County Fire’s response
USA‑02, a 10‑member international USAR Heavy Rescue Team, is trained for rapid deployment in complex urban environments. The team’s arrival follows a similar response to the Venezuelan and Colombian earthquakes earlier this year. In addition, the department’s larger 79‑member international USAR Heavy Rescue Team has been placed on standby for possible further assistance.
“Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this devastating earthquake, and we wish all first responders safe travels as they assist during this time of great need,” the department said in a statement.
Expert insight
Allan Husk, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology, told NBC Los Angeles that the 7.7‑magnitude rupture spanned roughly 50 miles across a peninsula, away from the densely populated Panama City, which helped limit damage.
The LA County Fire Department’s swift international response underscores the region’s commitment to humanitarian aid and disaster relief, reflecting the dedication of local first‑responders to serve both home and abroad.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
