Tsunami threats were issued across parts of Central and South America before later subsiding.
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday morning and shook buildings across the country while sending residents into the streets.
The quake was centered about seven miles west-southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba according to the US Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of nearly eight miles. USGS data later recorded a magnitude 5.8 earthquake and a stronger magnitude 6.6 earthquake in Panama after the main shock.
Potential tsunami threats were issued for Panama and parts of the Pacific coasts of Central and South America. Countries included Costa Rica and El Salvador as well as Peru and Mexico. ABC News reported that the regional tsunami threat later subsided.
The earthquake was felt strongly in Panama City where buildings shook and people evacuated into the streets. Residents described the shaking as intense with some items knocked over in their homes. Reuters reported that no deaths or injuries had been confirmed as officials continued assessing the damage.
Damage was reported in central areas including Penonomé where structures were damaged. Video footage from local news outlets showed a Catholic cathedral collapsing and a hotel facade falling onto a vehicle in Penonomé. The National System for Civil Protection said it was monitoring for further reports of damage in areas near the epicenter.
The quake caused power disruptions in several provinces while the Panama Canal continued operating. Panama sits in a seismically active region where several tectonic systems can produce strong earthquakes.
Local media also reported that tremors were felt in parts of neighboring Colombia.
No major destruction was reported in Panama City despite evacuations and traffic disruptions. The USGS recorded the main earthquake at magnitude 7.7 after earlier estimates were revised. Emergency teams continued to investigate possible damage in affected regions as officials worked to assess the full impact of the disaster.
