A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 shook Panama on Friday, sparking widespread panic in the capital city. The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially estimated the earthquake’s strength at 8.0 before revising it to 7.6.
The tremors struck at 1756 GMT with an epicenter located approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama. The powerful quake was felt strongly in Panama City, as well as across the capital of neighboring Costa Rica. Following the tremor, numerous people were evacuated from buildings in Panama City, which lies about 200 kilometers away from the epicenter.
The severe impact prompted the US Tsunami Warning System to issue a tsunami notice, warning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along eastern Pacific coastlines stretching from Mexico down to Peru, as well as a separate threat alert for Hawaii. Monitors warned that hazardous waves could strike within three hours of the quake, carrying the severe risk of sweeping people out to sea or crushing them under water debris. Local authorities and emergency response teams remain on high alert as the situation continues to develop.