Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on Friday, the first night was characterized by a series of brief aftershocks, resulting in widespread sleep disturbances and forcing many residents to spend the night outdoors due to the inclement weather.
In the town of Penonomé, approximately 180 kilometers north of the earthquake's epicenter, significant damage has been reported to various structures. The church tower has collapsed, while parts of a hotel and the local government headquarters have suffered damage. Additionally, numerous homes in the area have been affected, with some displaying cracks and others having roofs that have been partially or completely destroyed.
A series of earthquakes was reported by the Institute of Geosciences of Panama on its social media channels. The seismic activity occurred from 7:30 PM local time on Friday to 3:30 AM local time on Saturday, spanning approximately 8 hours. During this period, the institute documented around 100 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 4 to 6.
A significant earthquake occurred in Panama on a Friday, striking at 12:56 local time, with an estimated depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter situated approximately 12 kilometers from the coastal town of Tonosí, located in southern Panama, roughly 239 kilometers from the capital.
The University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences reported a magnitude of 7.5 earthquake with a focal depth of approximately 4 kilometers. The epicenter was situated approximately 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí.
In the town of Penonomé, Coclé province, approximately 25,000 residents, hotel guests opted to spend the night at the entrance of their accommodations, while others preferred to remain outdoors due to ongoing seismic activity.
In Panama, a region prone to seismic activity within the Pacific Fire Belt, no fatalities have been reported, but thirty individuals have sustained light injuries, while an estimated 400 buildings have been damaged nationwide.
A coastal community in the Los Santos province, where Tonosí is situated, has seen approximately 300 residents relocated to higher ground due to increasing sea levels. Meanwhile, communication with five nearby communities has been disrupted as a result of damage to bridges, roads, and landslides.
Leaders from various countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador, and Honduras, as well as the United States Secretary of State, have expressed support and solidarity with their messages.
Panama's Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, was in Tonosí, where she maintained direct communication with families affected by the situation, actively listening to their needs and monitoring the developments in the area.
The capital of Panama experienced a relatively calm morning, despite earlier concerns over replicas, as residents went about their daily business on a typical Saturday, a working day in the country. Meanwhile, the city's Metro, the only such system in Central America, remained closed since Friday as a precautionary measure, with ongoing inspections of the system continuing to prevent any potential disruptions, which is a vital transportation link for the metropolitan area's residents.
Panama's primary airport, Tocumen International Airport, a key regional hub, implemented enhanced security measures in response to a security threat. The protocols, which were activated, included the temporary suspension of all flight operations to allow for a thorough search of the airport's facilities, including replicas, as well as surrounding areas such as slopes, streets, and platforms.
Geologists and seismologists have been warning that the convergence of tectonic plates in Panama creates a high-risk environment for significant earthquakes, such as the one that occurred on Friday, which can be followed by strong aftershocks lasting for several months.
Initial assessments indicate that the skyscrapers in Panama City, particularly those along the seawalk, have demonstrated exceptional seismic resistance, with some structures exceeding 60 floors in height. Preliminary reports suggest that none of these buildings have sustained any damage, with no reported injuries or scratches.
