PANAMA CITY — A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck central Panama on Friday, triggering widespread panic and prompting regional authorities to issue an urgent tsunami threat notice for coastal areas.
The seismic event occurred at approximately 1756 GMT. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba, situated in the south-central region of the country. While initial reports from seismic monitoring stations briefly estimated the quake’s strength at magnitude 8.0, the USGS later revised the measurement to 7.6.
The sudden tremor was felt acutely in Panama City, where panicked residents evacuated office buildings and high-rise apartments, flooding the streets as emergency sirens blared throughout the capital. Communication lines and internet services in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter experienced significant disruptions, complicating early efforts by first responders to assess the extent of the damage.
Government officials and disaster management agencies have moved quickly to activate emergency protocols. In the immediate aftermath, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a localized tsunami threat notice, advising residents living along low-lying coastal areas to move to higher ground or seek shelter inland as a precautionary measure. While it remains unclear if a tsunami wave has been generated, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid the shoreline until official reports confirm it is safe to return.
“We are currently assessing the impact across the south-central region,” a spokesperson for the national emergency response agency stated during an early briefing. “Our primary focus is the safety of our citizens, ensuring that evacuation routes are clear and that search and rescue teams can reach the areas closest to the epicenter.”
The town of Pitaloza Arriba, a relatively quiet rural area, is currently the focus of intensive monitoring. Preliminary assessments suggest that older structures in the vicinity may have sustained significant structural damage. Hospital staff across the region have been placed on high alert to prepare for a potential influx of injured victims, though official figures regarding casualties or major property destruction are not yet available.
As aftershocks continue to rattle the region, international observers and neighboring countries are monitoring the situation closely. Seismic activity of this magnitude is relatively rare for this specific corridor of Panama, and the psychological impact on the population—already reeling from the shock of the afternoon tremors—is expected to be substantial.
Authorities have urged residents to stay tuned to local radio and television broadcasts for further updates and to strictly follow directions from civil defense personnel. Emergency crews are expected to continue their sweep of the affected zones throughout the night.
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