Panama’s government announced a state of emergency on Saturday after two powerful earthquakes rattled the country, causing widespread damage across all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories. While no fatalities were reported, the 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude quakes on Friday led to building collapses near the epicenter and forced evacuations throughout the Central American nation. Over 100 aftershocks were recorded, with magnitudes reaching 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2.
The initial earthquake, felt in neighboring Colombia, originated approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, as per the U.S. Geological Survey. The aftermath saw significant damage to homes, schools, health-care facilities, roads, and hotels, as stated by Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac during a press briefing in Panama City.
Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of the National Civil Protection System, confirmed 27 reported injuries of varying severity. The majority of the destruction was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Cocle, and Los Santos, with around 420 homes, public schools, seven hotels, 13 churches, and nine bridges affected by the quakes.
In La Villa de Los Santos, a colonial-era town located about 64 kilometers northeast of the quake’s epicenter, multiple homes and a historical Catholic church collapsed. Residents, awaiting government guidance, remained outdoors after the event. The collapsed Church of San Atanasio, a National Historic Heritage Site since 1938, was among the prominent structures affected.
The lower casualty count in Panama compared to recent earthquakes in neighboring countries like Venezuela and Colombia was attributed to the nation’s stringent building regulations, particularly concerning skyscraper construction in the capital, noted Carlos Valdes, head of the Seismology Department at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
In response to the earthquakes, evacuations were undertaken due to rising sea levels and rough surf on Isla Cana and road damage in various areas. While operations at Tocumen International Airport were temporarily halted, Panama Canal Authority ensured normal operations along the global trade route. Foreign assistance pledges, including a $5 million US donation from the U.S. government, and offers of support from regional leaders, showcased solidarity with Panama in the aftermath of the seismic events.