A second magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Panama on Friday after a 7.7 tremor damaged buildings and triggered evacuations.
The first earthquake hit on Friday morning, with shaking felt as far away as neighbouring Colombia. The US Geological Survey said another powerful quake struck on Friday afternoon, after a series of aftershocks.
The University of Panama recorded more than 45 aftershocks, although many were too weak to be felt. Several measured magnitude 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2, and tremors continued to rattle the country.
The earthquakes concentrated damage in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. Shaking also reached neighbouring countries and prompted temporary action at the capital’s airport, while authorities continued to assess casualties, infrastructure and economic losses.
The USGS said reports differed on the first earthquake’s size, depth and location. It initially listed the magnitude as 8, then changed it to 7.6 and later 7.7, while the figure from Panama's geological institute was 7.2.
The USGS placed the epicentre 10km (6 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community in Herrera province. It also described the earthquake as occurring at a depth of 12.6km (7.8 miles), while other reports put the depth at 10km (6 miles) and a separate estimate at just 12km. Another USGS account placed the epicentre about 200km (124 miles) from Panama City.
Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service said damage was concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, with no reports of damage in the capital, and that several injuries had been reported, including one person hit by debris from a partly collapsed structure in Penonomé, about 93 miles (150 km) from Panama City.
Smith also confirmed that the cathedral in Penonomé’s main square had partly collapsed and developed cracks. The governor’s office building and the Dos Continentes hotel were also damaged.
Local news outlets reported that the Church of San Atanasio, a colonial-style Catholic church in Los Santos province, collapsed. In 1938, the church received designation as a National Historic Heritage Site. Large fissures opened along roads in Veraguas province.
Verified footage showed one side of the Penonomé cathedral and one of its spires had fallen. Another video showed a local hotel that had almost completely collapsed.
It was horrible, like nothing we ever experienced. My daughter was trapped in school.
In Panama City, people rushed out of emblematic skyscrapers in scenes of panic. Reported damage in the capital appeared limited to debris falling from roofs.
They evacuated all of these buildings. Everyone is outside. Now the problem is, how do we get home?
The duration of the shaking also varied by account. A USGS report said the quake lasted about a minute, while Nestor Luque, director of Panama’s national geosciences institute, said he counted 40 seconds of vibrations in Panama City and that other areas may have experienced longer tremors.
Tocumen International Airport activated evacuation plans and suspended operations while security conditions were checked. Flights resumed after several hours, by Friday evening.
The Panama Canal Authority said operations continued normally along the trade route. Specialised technical teams inspected facilities for possible damage, with priority given to employees, vessels and crews.
The Cobre Panama copper mine reported normal operations, while electricity provider Naturgy reported power outages in six provinces.
The US Tsunami Warning System confirmed there was no tsunami threat after warnings were initially issued for 11 countries neighbouring Panama. The warnings covered the coastline from Mexico to Peru.
A Reuters witness felt tremors in San Jose, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica. The first earthquake was also felt in Colombia.
The USGS said its estimates put the number of people who experienced moderate to severe tremors at about 4.6 million, while areas with at least severe exposure included about 43,000 Panamanians.
The USGS said potential economic losses could equal 1% to 10% of Panama's gross domestic product. The figures covered exposure and possible losses, not a confirmed final damage bill.
We are facing a major disaster
What happened should not be used to cause alarm or disorder.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said he was closely following earthquake reports in a social media post and that the United States was ready to help if needed.
A national evacuation drill for dealing with a major earthquake was scheduled in Panama three days after the earthquake struck.
What we know
- The US Geological Survey reported the first earthquake as magnitude 7.7 after earlier revisions.
- A second magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on Friday afternoon.
- More than 45 aftershocks were recorded.
- Tocumen International Airport resumed operations by Friday evening.
Still unclear
- The competing reports on magnitude, depth, location, timing and duration have not been fully reconciled.
- The full extent of the earthquake damage is not yet clear.
- The number of people injured or killed has not been confirmed.
No casualties were immediately reported, but several injuries were reported by the National Civil Protection Service. Authorities had not established the full damage or casualty toll.
