Panama Earthquake Triggers Pacific Tsunami Alert and Evacuations

A powerful earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, October 9, prompting hundreds of people to evacuate buildings in Panama City and triggering tsunami alerts across parts of the eastern Pacific. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude of 7.7, while authorities began assessing possible damage in affected regions. No deaths had been reported in initial accounts.

The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, in Herrera province, according to the USGS. Initial reports differed on the earthquake's depth, with one account placing it at 10 kilometers and another estimating 33 kilometers.

The USGS initially measured the earthquake at magnitude 8 before revising the estimate to 7.6 and then 7.7. The shaking was felt across Panama, including its capital, where buildings trembled and residents gathered outdoors after leaving offices and other structures.

The US National Weather Service issued tsunami alerts for coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Authorities and emergency services monitored the situation as officials investigated potential damage near the epicenter and across central and southern parts of the country.

Rosendo Domínguez, a 60-year-old resident of Herrera province, described the shaking and its immediate effects in an interview with The Associated Press.

"We felt it very strongly. It caused things in the kitchen to fall, but we are fine, although we are very scared. Everyone is outside, frightened," Domínguez said.

Panama's Civil Protection agency said it was investigating possible damage in areas close to the earthquake's epicenter. Preliminary assessments focused on Herrera, the Azuero Peninsula, Veraguas and Los Santos, among other regions.

Several significant aftershocks followed the main earthquake, including one measured at magnitude 6, according to reports cited by French and Canadian media outlets. Authorities urged residents to remain calm while emergency teams evaluated conditions and gathered information about the impact.

Reports also indicated that the earthquake was felt in parts of neighboring Colombia. The shaking in Panama City drew particular attention because strong earthquakes affecting the capital are considered unusual; seismic activity has more commonly been associated with Chiriquí province in western Panama.

Video footage published by CNN showed people moving into the streets as the earthquake struck, while reports from the capital described residents waiting outdoors for further information. Initial reports had not confirmed casualties, and assessments of structural damage remained underway.