Magnitude 7.6 earthquake shakes Panama

PANAMA CITY (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, shaking buildings as far away as the capital and prompting evacuations, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The quake was centred about 10 kilometres (6 miles) southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama’s southern tip, the USGS said.

It struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and people evacuated into the streets.

Visibly shaken residents gathered outside as they waited for news of the quake’s impact.

“We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared,” Rosendo Domínguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, where the earthquake struck, told The Associated Press by phone. “Everyone is outside, scared.”

The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning Friday for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Local media reported that the quake was also felt in parts of neighboring Colombia.

Panama’s Civil Protection said it was investigating possible damage in regions near where the earthquake took place.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.