Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Panama and Triggers Tsunami Threats

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on the country's Pacific coast shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Friday, October 9, prompting potential tsunami threats across nine countries. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake, while authorities in Panama suspended operations at administrative offices and schools.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves could reach some coastal areas within the following hours. The potential threat covered Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake's epicenter was located 12 kilometers west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama. The quake occurred along the country's Pacific side, prompting regional monitoring for possible tsunami activity.

Panama's president's office reported that more than a dozen aftershocks had been recorded following the main earthquake. The office also announced the suspension of operations at all administrative offices and schools as the situation developed.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System identified the possibility of hazardous waves along portions of the Pacific coastline in the affected countries. The warning indicated that waves could arrive within hours, although the source report did not provide specific arrival times or wave heights for individual locations.

The earthquake and its potential regional effects remained under assessment in the latest available report. Authorities had documented multiple aftershocks, while administrative offices and schools across Panama remained suspended, according to the president's office.