A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast, prompting officials to assess a potential tsunami threat and coordinate emergency responses.
A significant earthquake measuring 7.7 in magnitude struck off the southern coast of Panama on Friday, causing tremors felt as far away as the capital, Panama City. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initially recorded the quake at a magnitude of 8.0 but later revised it down to 7.7. The earthquake occurred at 1:56 p.m. ET, with a depth of 7.8 miles, near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama. Following the initial quake, a 5.5 magnitude aftershock was reported, located approximately 50 miles east of the original epicenter.
The Panama Canal reported that operations continued normally despite the earthquake, with emergency protocols activated. Technical teams were deployed to inspect facilities for any potential damage. Canal officials emphasized their priority was the safety of workers, vessels, crews, and nearby communities as assessments were ongoing.
The earthquake’s impact was felt not only in Panama but also in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to reports from Reuters. In response to the seismic activity, tsunami officials issued warnings indicating that waves of 3 to 10 feet above tide levels could occur along certain coastal areas of Panama. Additionally, parts of Ecuador were expected to experience waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet. Coastal regions of Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru were forecasted to see smaller tsunami waves of less than 1 foot above tide levels.
In the wake of the earthquake, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino took to social media platform X to announce his visit to affected areas and coordinate emergency assistance with government officials. He stated that he had ordered the mobilization of personnel, resources, and aid for impacted communities, along with structural assessments to evaluate the extent of the damage. Mulino expressed gratitude to neighboring countries for their support and noted that assistance from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) would aid those affected by the disaster.
During his visit, President Mulino traveled through Penonomé with government officials to oversee relief efforts and thanked the United States and other nations for their offers of assistance. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the situation in a post on X, stating that the State Department was rapidly mobilizing resources and personnel to assist Panama at the request of the Panamanian government. Rubio urged Americans needing help to contact the department’s 24-hour consular hotline.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama confirmed it was assessing potential damage and working to ensure the safety of visitors and personnel in the region. In a separate post on X, the embassy encouraged Americans in Panama to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and to follow its social media accounts for updates.
Despite the potential risks to coastal communities following the earthquake, officials indicated that a Pacific-wide tsunami was not anticipated. As of now, information regarding possible damage or casualties resulting from Friday’s earthquake has not been immediately available.
According to Reuters, the situation remains fluid as authorities continue to monitor developments and provide updates on the aftermath of the earthquake.