7 on the Richter scale struck southern Panama on Friday morning, sending powerful shockwaves across the entire country and triggering widespread alarm among the population. 7. The seismic event caused buildings to sway violently in the capital, Panama City, forcing thousands of residents and office workers to evacuate their premises and seek refuge in open spaces. The USGS reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Pitalosa Arriba, situated near the southern tip of Panama. The quake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers, which often contributes to more significant surface shaking and potential damage.
Impact on Infrastructure and Aviation
The earthquake had an immediate and severe impact on the nation's infrastructure. In several provinces, the power supply was completely disrupted, leaving thousands of homes and businesses in the dark, while the sudden loss of electricity added to the chaos as people tried to contact loved ones and assess the damage to their properties. Also, aviation authorities were forced to suspend flight operations as a precautionary measure, leading to cancellations and delays at major airports, while the shaking was so intense in Panama City that high-rise buildings were seen swaying, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Despite the intensity of the tremor, initial reports from officials indicated that there were no immediate reports of major casualties, although the full extent of the property damage is still being evaluated across various regions.
Widespread Panic and Aftershocks
The primary earthquake was followed by a series of more than a dozen aftershocks, which kept the population on edge throughout the day. These subsequent tremors, while less intense than the main quake, were strong enough to be felt across the country, hindering rescue and assessment efforts. The USGS issued warnings regarding the potential for significant damage and loss of life, although specific details regarding the impact remained fluid in the hours following the event. Television footage from the affected areas showed heart-wrenching scenes of elderly citizens weeping in the streets, overwhelmed by the trauma of the earth shaking beneath them. In the province of Herrera, one of the hardest-hit areas, residents expressed grave concerns that already damaged structures could collapse at any moment due to the ongoing aftershocks.
Personal Accounts of the Disaster
The human toll of the earthquake was evident in the stories of those living in the most affected zones. In the locality of Las Minas, 74 year old Ricardo Brown shared his harrowing experience with Reuters. He described the terror of being inside his home with his elderly companion when the quake struck. "We're terrified. Only two of us elderly people live here. Cracks have appeared in the house, and we're afraid it might fall on us," Brown stated, highlighting the vulnerability of residents in older or poorly reinforced buildings. He noted that several other homes in his neighborhood had also sustained visible damage. As authorities continue to survey the damage in various provinces, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of citizens and restoring essential services like electricity and transportation. The government has urged the public to remain vigilant as they monitor the situation and provide updates on the recovery efforts.