Panama Shaken by Twin Quakes: 7.7 and 6.6 Magnitude Tremors Injure 27, Damage All 10 Provinces

Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Friday, triggering more than 100 aftershocks that continued to shake communities for hours [259616]. The quakes, measured at magnitude 7.7 and 6.6, toppled buildings and forced evacuations across the nation [259616].

The first and strongest quake struck at 12:56 local time on Friday, with its epicenter on the Azuero peninsula in Herrera province, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) [259115]. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 14 kilometers, roughly 240 kilometers from the capital [259115].

A second quake of magnitude 6.6 followed later the same day [258605]. Aftershocks reached magnitudes as high as 5.8, keeping residents on edge as authorities assessed the damage [259616].

Officials reported no deaths from the quakes [259989]. However, damage was reported in all 10 of Panama's provinces and two Indigenous territories [259989]. The country's drinking water infrastructure has collapsed, and economic losses are estimated at between 1 percent and 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) [259574]. Approximately 400 structures were affected [259574].

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino said authorities had not yet received any reports of deaths [259136]. "But they are in the process of confirming this," he said, stressing that only a few hours had passed since the quake. "It is possible that there are deaths. But let us hope there are not" [259136].

At least 27 people were reported injured, a preliminary toll that may change as authorities continue to assess the damage [258867]. A cathedral collapsed during the quake, and tsunami alerts were issued as authorities evacuated residents [258929].

The country appeared to avoid widespread destruction relative to the quake's strength, though thousands of people fled into the streets [259016].