Earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued

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1. 4h ago

   Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Panama, Triggering State of Emergency

   Panama has declared a state of emergency following a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that damaged buildings and injured at least 27 people. The mainshock, centered near Pitaloza Arriba, collapsed a cathedral and a hotel facade in Penonomé. Unnerved residents spent the night sleeping in the streets as continuous aftershocks rattled affected communities. International search and rescue teams from Los Angeles County and Fairfax have been deployed to assist in the response efforts after the United States mobilized an immediate response.

   Why it matters

   The initial tremor and a later 6.9 magnitude quake triggered widespread evacuations and prompted the U.S. Tsunami Warning System to issue potential tsunami threats across nine countries, though officials later cleared the mainshock tsunami threat. Local footage of destruction circulated online as buildings suffered structural failures near the epicenter in southern Panama. The disaster prompted the deployment of specialized U.S. rescue personnel to aid local authorities in managing the crisis.

   What is confirmed

   • A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on October 9, with the USGS locating it 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba.
   • At least 27 people were injured and buildings were damaged, including a cathedral and a hotel facade collapsing in Penonomé.
   • The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued potential tsunami threats for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador.
   • Panama declared a state of emergency as aftershocks rattled communities and residents slept in the streets.
   • Search and rescue teams from Los Angeles County and Fairfax were deployed to Panama to assist with the earthquake response.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Unconfirmed reports suggest videos of widespread destruction are circulating online from various affected regions.

   What to watch next

   • Assessments of further structural damage from ongoing aftershocks
   • Reports on the operational deployment and rescue findings of U.S. teams
   • Updates on the status of the declared state of emergency in Panama
   Sources used for this update (26)

   1. Reuters — 7.6 magnitude earthquake felt in Panama - USGS
   2. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Tsunami threat after 7.7 magnitude earthquake recorded in Panama
   3. AP News — A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shakes Panama, USGS reports
   4. The New York Times — Panama Shaken by Large Earthquake and Its Aftershocks
   5. CNN — Powerful earthquake shakes Panama
   6. USGS (.gov) — M 7.7 - 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
   7. USA Today — Earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.7, tsunami threat issued
   8. Yahoo — Powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Panama, damaging buildings and injuring at least 27
   9. Phys.org — Tsunami alert after major earthquake rocks Panama
   10. AP News — Unnerved Panamanians sleep in streets as aftershocks rattle quake-hit towns
   11. CBS News — Los Angeles County search and rescue deployed to Panama after powerful earthquakes
   12. KSL News — Panama declares a state of emergency as powerful quake aftershocks rattle communities
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