Powerful earthquake strikes Panama, triggering tsunami warnings

Summarised from 7 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 20:31 · Archive

A powerful earthquake struck Panama's southern coast, initially measured at magnitude 8 but downgraded to between 7.6 and 7.7, triggering tsunami warnings across Central and South America.

A powerful earthquake struck off Panama's southern coast on Friday, shaking buildings as far away as the capital and prompting widespread evacuations. The US Geological Survey initially measured the quake at magnitude 8.0 before downgrading it; different outlets subsequently reported the final magnitude as either 7.6 or 7.7. The quake struck near Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community close to Panama's southern tip, approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles) below the surface, at around 1:56 p.m. ET.

Tremors were felt strongly throughout Panama City and in neighbouring countries including Costa Rica and Colombia. According to witnesses who spoke to Reuters, buildings shook visibly and residents evacuated into the streets. Rosendo Domínguez, a 60-year-old from Herrera province near the earthquake's epicentre, told the Associated Press: 'We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we're okay, though we're very scared.' Television broadcasts showed building and school evacuations across the country.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for possible coastal tsunami waves in nine countries: Panama, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru and El Salvador. The system warned that hazardous waves were possible within three hours of the quake. Tsunami officials reported that waves of between 3 and 10 feet above tide levels were possible along some coastal areas of Panama, whilst parts of Ecuador could experience waves of approximately 1 to 3 feet. Smaller waves of less than 1 foot were forecast for coastal areas of the other affected countries. The system also reported a tsunami threat to Hawaii, though officials said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.

An aftershock measuring 5.5 magnitude followed the initial quake, with its epicentre approximately 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of the main earthquake. Panama's Civil Protection said it was assessing potential damage in regions near where the quake occurred. The Panama Canal Authority stated that the waterway was operating as usual with no initial reports of damage. At the time of reporting, no casualties or significant damage had been confirmed, though information about the full extent of the earthquake's impact remained limited.

How it is being reported

• Panama earthquake live: Tsunami warnings in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and PeruA magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama has sparked tsunami warnings across Central America including in Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru and El SalvadorThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 20:17
• Strong earthquake shakes Panama, prompting tsunami alertTremors were felt in the capital city when a powerful earthquake shook Panama, triggering a tsunami threat warning in Central and South America.DW News · 9 Oct, 20:03
• Panama struck by magnitude 7.7 earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey saysA powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck Panama, shaking buildings as far away as the capital and prompting evacuations.CBS News · 9 Oct, 19:46
• 🔴 Powerful 7.6 magnitude quake shakes Panama, triggering tsunami warningFrance 24 · 9 Oct, 19:41
• Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Panama coast as nine countries issued tsunami warningsA powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake has struck off the coast of Panama.Independent World · 9 Oct, 19:36
• Massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threatA powerful earthquake struck Panama's southern coast Friday, prompting officials to investigate a possible tsunami threat after the USGS lowered its magnitude estimate from 8.0 to 7.6.Fox News · 9 Oct, 19:36
• Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threatA powerful earthquake struck Panama's southern coast Friday, prompting officials to investigate a possible tsunami threat after the USGS lowered its magnitude estimate from 8.0 to 7.7.Fox News · 9 Oct, 19:36
• Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits Panama and triggers tsunami warningsHazardous waves are possible in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck Panama and triggered tsunami warnings along the west coast of Central and South America, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake hit along the southern coast of Panama, the USGS said, and was felt strongly in the Panamanian capital of Panama City, according to witnesses who spoke to Reuters. Continue reading...Guardian World · 9 Oct, 19:29
• Panama earthquake live: Magnitude 8 quake sparks tsunami warnings and evacuationA magnitude 8 earthquake in Panama has spark tsunami warnings across Central AmericaThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 19:14

In this story: Panama · Pitaloza Arriba · Panama City · US Geological Survey · US Tsunami Warning System · Panama Canal

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