World
Panama Declares State of Emergency After Two Major Earthquakes
Panama’s government declared a state of emergency on Saturday following aftershocks from two powerful earthquakes that shook the country for hours. The 7.7‑ and 6.6‑magnitude quakes, which struck on Friday, caused no deaths but resulted in damage across all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories. Buildings near the epicenter collapsed, leading to evacuations throughout the Central American nation. Seismologists recorded more than 100 aftershocks, including magnitudes 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2. The earlier quake, also felt in Colombia, was centered about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, at a depth of 10 km (6 mi), according to the US Geological Survey.
Presidential minister Juan Carlos Orillac announced the emergency during a news conference in Panama City. He said homes, schools, health facilities, roads and hotels were among the damaged structures. Deputy director of the National Civil Protection System, Malitzie Rivera, reported 27 injuries ranging from minor to moderate. Damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos. Roughly 420 homes and an equal number of public schools were damaged, and seven hotels, at least 13 churches and nine bridges were affected.
In La Villa de Los Santos, a colonial‑era community about 64 km (40 mi) northeast of the epicenter, homes and a historic Catholic church collapsed. Residents who had spent the night on the streets awaited government guidance. “We’ve been here since 1 pm yesterday; we haven’t moved,” said Tony Jiménez, whose home partially collapsed. He added, “It was a terrible thing. I can tell you with absolute certainty that in my 90 years, I had never experienced anything like it. It was intense – truly intense.”
No missing persons were reported on Saturday, though some communities remained cut off by landslides and road damage. The country’s strict building codes, particularly for skyscrapers in the capital, may have helped avoid widespread fatalities, noted Carlos Valdés, head of the seismology department at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Messages of support and offers of assistance arrived from across the region shortly after the earthquakes. Mulino thanked fellow Latin American leaders for their support, saying he had spoken with the presidents of Chile, Uruguay and Guatemala, among others. The U.S. Department of State mobilized a disaster response team to assist with search and rescue, aerial and ground assessments, and pledged $5 million for humanitarian aid. The U.S. military’s southern command, with support from the State Department’s drug‑control bureau, delivered 2,000 pounds (907 kg) of food to affected people via two helicopters.
Frequently asked questions
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that struck Panama?
The earthquakes were 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude.
Did the earthquakes cause any fatalities in Panama?
No deaths were reported.
How many aftershocks were recorded after the main quakes?
More than 100 aftershocks were recorded, including magnitudes 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2.