Panama Rocked by 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday at 12:56 local time. The epicenter was on the Azuero peninsula in Herrera province, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a shallow depth, about 14 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba. This is a sparsely populated area near the Pacific coast, roughly 240 kilometers from the capital. Panamanian authorities have not confirmed any deaths so far. Inspections are ongoing, and officials have not ruled out injuries or people trapped. Damage to buildings has been reported in several provinces.