Panama rocked by 2 powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks, prompting evacuations

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Panama Declares Emergency After Powerful Earthquakes

   Panama declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks struck the country on Friday afternoon. The initial tremors, measured at magnitudes of 7.6 to 7.7 alongside a 6.6 magnitude earthquake, collapsed buildings near the epicenter in southern Panama. The shaking prompted evacuations, and unnerved residents slept in the streets as aftershocks rattled quake-hit towns. Tsunami warnings and threats were issued across Central America following the massive seismic activity. In response to the disaster, an international search and rescue team from Los Angeles County was deployed to assist on the ground.

   Why it matters

   The disaster struck southern Panama on Friday afternoon, triggering immediate tsunami alerts and forcing widespread evacuations across the region. The seismic events prompted the national government to formally declare a state of emergency to marshal resources and manage disaster response efforts. First responders from the United States have mobilized to support local authorities as affected communities face ongoing aftershocks.

   What is confirmed

   • Panama was struck by two powerful earthquakes and a series of aftershocks on Friday afternoon.
   • The United States Geological Survey recorded the main earthquakes at magnitudes including 7.6 and 7.7, alongside a 6.6 magnitude tremor.
   • The tremors collapsed buildings near the epicenter in southern Panama and prompted evacuations.
   • Tsunami threats and warnings were issued across Central America following the massive earthquakes.
   • Panama declared a state of emergency in the wake of the disaster.
   • A search and rescue team from Los Angeles County was deployed to Panama to assist.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Specific figures on total casualties or localized damage totals remain largely unquantified in current reports.

   What to watch next

   • Reports on casualties and structural damage from areas near the epicenter
   • Updates on the deployment and operations of the Los Angeles County search and rescue team
   • Lifting or continuation of regional tsunami warnings by monitoring agencies
   Sources used for this update (28)

   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. FOX Weather — Tsunami Threat issued across Central America after massive magnitude 7.6 earthquake batters Panama
   5. The New York Times — Panama Shaken by Large Earthquake and Its Aftershocks
   6. The Guardian — Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits Panama and triggers tsunami warnings
   7. CNN — Powerful earthquake shakes Panama
   8. CBC — Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Panama
   9. CBS News — Panama struck by 2 powerful earthquakes, U.S. Geological Survey says
   10. USGS (.gov) — M 7.7 - 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
   11. Yahoo — Magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocks Panama
   12. People.com — 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Panama, Causing a Series of Aftershocks
   confidence 100%