A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, sending shockwaves across the nation and prompting urgent evacuations as emergency services scramble to assess the extent of the damage. The tremor, which hit at approximately 20:40 GMT+2, was deep and widespread, with reports of shaking felt as far away as the capital, Panama City.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the earthquake was located near the country’s southern tip, specifically 14 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba. While the region is sparsely populated, the sheer intensity of the 7.6-magnitude event has raised significant concerns regarding structural integrity and potential casualties in more rural settlements near the source.
In Panama City, the impact was immediate and startling. Office workers and residents were seen fleeing high-rise buildings and homes, gathering in public squares and open streets as sirens wailed across the city. Many residents reported a prolonged period of violent shaking that lasted for several seconds, causing furniture to topple and power flickers in various districts.
“We were working when the floor suddenly started moving. It wasn’t just a jolt; it felt like the whole building was swaying,” said one resident in the capital. “We didn’t hesitate—we ran straight for the exits.”
Panama’s Civil Protection agency (SINAPROC) has activated emergency protocols, deploying teams to the hardest-hit areas near the epicentre to conduct search-and-rescue operations and evaluate the stability of critical infrastructure. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm, avoid using elevators, and stay away from damaged structures while aftershocks are likely to occur.
The reach of the earthquake extended well beyond Panama’s borders. Local media outlets and social media reports confirmed that tremors were felt significantly in parts of neighbouring Colombia, though there have been no immediate reports of structural collapse or injuries in those regions.
As of late Friday night, the government has not yet provided a confirmed count of injuries or a comprehensive list of structural damage, noting that communication with the most remote areas remains difficult. International disaster response agencies are monitoring the situation closely, awaiting further data from local authorities.
For the moment, the focus remains on the “golden hour” of the rescue mission: reaching the rural communities closest to the epicentre where the impact of the quake was most severe. As the night progresses, emergency crews are working under challenging conditions to ensure that isolated villages have access to medical assistance.
Government officials are expected to provide a formal update early tomorrow morning as damage reports from local municipalities are consolidated. In the meantime, residents are being advised to monitor official channels for potential tsunami warnings or further seismic activity.
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