Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Panama, Damage Assessed

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama on Friday, October 9, prompting tsunami alerts for nine countries and damaging buildings and public infrastructure, while emergency officials assessed injuries and continuing disruptions. The U.S. Geological Survey revised its initial magnitude estimate of 8.0 to 7.7; Panamanian authorities reported a magnitude of 7.2. The quake struck near Pitaloza Arriba in southern Panama, according to the USGS. Shaking was felt in Panama City, where residents left buildings and gathered outside. Reports also described tremors in neighboring areas. Preliminary USGS models estimated that 36,000 people were exposed to severe shaking, 537,000 to very strong shaking and 731,000 to strong shaking. Those figures describe modeled exposure, not confirmed damage or casualties. Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of Panama’s civil-protection agency, said Friday afternoon that residents had sustained minor injuries and officials had no reports of deaths. She said assessments were continuing, with communications difficult in some affected communities. Emergency crews were inspecting buildings, roads and other infrastructure.