Panama Earthquake: Tsunami Warnings Issued for Pacific Coasts After Strong 7.6 Quake
A strong earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, prompting tsunami threat messages for coasts from Mexico to Peru. Here is what officials and reports say so far.
What happened
A strong earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday. The US Geological Survey (USGS) put the preliminary magnitude at 7.6. ABC News used 7.7 in its headline and opening line but 7.6 elsewhere in the same report.
The quake hit on Panama's Pacific side. The USGS located it near the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba. The sources give slightly different distances from that community, between 10 and 14 kilometres to the west-southwest or south-west. The University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences said it struck near the southern town of Tonosí.
The institute also reported a second, 6.0 magnitude quake at 1:22 p.m. local time.
Which coasts are covered by tsunami warnings
The US Tsunami Warning System said "hazardous tsunami waves" were possible within the next few hours along some coasts. The Guardian, citing the USGS, listed Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
ABC's list is longer. It also includes Panama itself and Colombia, so nine countries in all. The sources describe these as threats and possible waves, not confirmed waves. None of them reports tsunami waves arriving.
Damage and what officials say so far
The sources do not give any confirmed figures for damage, injuries or deaths. They do describe the immediate reaction.
Local newspaper La Prensa reported that buildings, schools and homes across Panama were evacuated after the "powerful movement of the earth." Witnesses told Reuters the tremors were strongly felt in Panama City. The Associated Press reported that buildings shook and shaken residents gathered outside to wait for news.
Panama's president's office said more than a dozen aftershocks had been recorded since the main quake.
What happens next
Anyone on the Pacific coast of the countries named should follow instructions from their national emergency and civil protection agencies. Further updates on the magnitude, damage and any tsunami observations are likely as authorities assess the situation.
Also read Flood Watch Issued for Kauai, Niihau and Oahu as Heavy Rain Moves In Through Thursday
Quick answers
Which countries could be hit by a tsunami?
The USGS and US Tsunami Warning System named Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. ABC News also listed Panama and Colombia.
Where exactly did the earthquake strike?
It struck southern Panama on the Pacific side, near Pitaloza Arriba and the town of Tonosí, according to the USGS and the University of Panama's institute.
Has damage been reported?
Not in numbers. The sources report evacuations of buildings, schools and homes and strong shaking in Panama City, but no confirmed casualty or damage figures.
Keep it in Saved stories on this device to read later.
