Friday afternoon brought a devastating double‑earthquake to southern Panama, with the United States Geological Survey measuring the first shock at magnitude 7.7 and a second at 6.6. The epicenter lay about six miles southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, at a shallow depth of six miles.
Immediate impact and local response
Residents of Panama City gathered in the streets, waiting for official word as structures trembled and some collapsed. “We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared,” said 60‑year‑old Rosendo Domínguez of Herrera province.
Authorities reported numerous aftershocks, including magnitudes 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2. University of Panama seismologists logged more than 45 aftershocks, many too weak to be felt by the public.
Government assessment
President José Raúl Mulino addressed the nation, confirming that, as of Friday evening, no deaths had been officially recorded, though he warned that the situation could evolve. “Nobody was ready, and no one is ever ready for this type of disaster,” Mulino said, urging citizens to remain calm and follow safety instructions.
Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service identified the hardest‑hit provinces as Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. He noted a partial building collapse and cracks at the historic cathedral in Penonomé, as well as damage to the governor’s office and the Dos Continentes hotel. Injuries were reported, including one person struck by debris.
Local news also reported the collapse of the Church of San Atanasio, a colonial‑style Catholic landmark in Los Santos that has been a National Historic Heritage Site since 1938.
Infrastructure and travel
Tocumen International Airport, one of the region’s busiest hubs, briefly halted operations after the first quake but announced its reopening later Friday afternoon. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that canal operations continued normally, emphasizing the safety of employees, vessels and crews while technical teams inspected facilities for any damage.
Regional and U.S. assistance
President Mulino thanked neighboring leaders for their swift expressions of solidarity. He spoke with the presidents of Chile, Uruguay and Guatemala, among others, and noted offers of aid from Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was closely monitoring the situation and “rapidly mobilizing resources and personnel to assist” at Panama’s request. “The United States stands with the people of Panama,” Rubio wrote on X.
Historical context and safety outlook
Panama sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where the Cocos, Nazca and Caribbean plates intersect, making earthquakes a frequent hazard. The last major quake to cause widespread damage in the country occurred in 1991, when a 7.4 event in nearby Costa Rica resulted in 23 deaths and over 500 injuries.
The National Weather Service lifted a tsunami warning that had been issued for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala after the quakes. Waves of three to ten feet were expected around Isla Cañas and the southern coast of Los Santos, but no major tsunami was forecast.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, Panamanian officials stress that the priority remains the safety of residents, the preservation of critical infrastructure, and the swift restoration of normal life across the affected provinces.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
