7.7 quake hits Panama, tsunami alert for 9 nations

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a village with just over 100 residents, triggering an urgent tsunami alert across nine Central and South American nations ^[1]. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued the alert, warning of hazardous waves along coasts in Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico.

The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake as 8.0, later revising it to 7.7 ^[1]. Shaking was felt in Panama City, over 134 miles from the epicenter, with footage from the San Miguelito Metro station showing panic and immediate evacuations. Residents fled streets, while hospital staff at Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City evacuated even newborns from a maternity ward.

Rosendo Domínguez, a resident of Herrera province, said the quake knocked over kitchen items but confirmed he and his family were unharmed, though deeply shaken ^[1]. Panama’s Civil Protection agency confirmed it was assessing possible damage in affected zones. The Panama Canal Authority stated operations remain normal.

More than 45 minutes after the initial quake, a 5.5-magnitude aftershock hit Bajo Corral, 28 miles east of Pitaloza Arriba ^[1]. A third quake, measuring 5.8, struck near El Cacao, about 18 miles southwest of the first epicenter. Additional 5.5-magnitude quakes were recorded off Panama’s coast over an hour after the main event.

The strongest shaking was reported near Ocú and Las Tablas on the Azuero Peninsula, with tremors also felt in Santiago, David, Boquete, and Changuinola ^[1]. Lighter tremors reached Panama City. The National Weather Service warned that tsunami waves could arrive minutes to an hour apart, with hazards potentially lasting hours after the first wave.

Authorities urge coastal residents to remain alert and follow official instructions ^[1]. A claim of no casualties or major damage has not been confirmed. The story was first reported by Daily Mail.