A strong quake near the southern tip
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, shaking buildings in the capital and sending residents into the streets. The United States Geological Survey placed the epicentre about 10 kilometres southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, near the country's southern tip, at a depth of roughly 10 kilometres.
The shaking was felt across a wide area. In Panama City, office workers left towers and waited outdoors for updates. A Mexican tourist staying at a hotel in the city said the building swayed while he was seated. Officials in several provinces checked bridges, ports and power lines. News broadcasts in the region cut away to live coverage as presenters moved to safer positions.
Tsunami warnings and early damage reports
Authorities issued tsunami warnings for parts of the Pacific coast shortly after the quake. Alerts were later reviewed and adjusted as sea-level readings came in. Ports and fishing communities were told to stay clear of the shoreline until the warnings were lifted.
Reuters reported no deaths from the earthquake. There was no immediate confirmation of major structural collapse, though local media described cracked walls and fallen debris in some towns. Power cuts were reported in a handful of districts, and some schools closed for the day while inspectors checked their walls.
Why the region shakes
Panama sits near the boundary between several tectonic plates, and the country records frequent moderate earthquakes. Friday's event was among the strongest in recent years, strong enough to be recorded by monitoring stations far outside the region.
Emergency teams spent the day inspecting schools, hospitals and older buildings. Officials urged residents to avoid damaged structures and to keep phone lines free for emergency calls. Aftershock activity is expected to continue for several days, and seismologists say smaller tremors are likely as the crust settles. Authorities also reminded residents that tsunami alerts can be revised quickly, so people should follow official channels rather than social media.