What happened
Panama experienced two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.6, on Friday. The initial quake struck near the southern tip of the country, causing buildings to shake over 100 miles away in the capital. A series of aftershocks followed, including several measuring over magnitude 5.
The earthquakes prompted evacuations, and authorities reported damage to buildings, including a partially collapsed structure in the city of Penonomé and a collapsed church in Los Santos province. Several injuries were reported, but no fatalities had been documented as of Friday evening.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of a possible tsunami, but later stated that the threat had passed. The Panama Canal Authority reported that operations were continuing normally, with a focus on employee and vessel safety.
Neighboring countries, including Colombia, offered support to Panama following the earthquakes. The U.S. Embassy in Panama stated that it was monitoring the situation and accounting for the welfare of its citizens in the country.
