Panama declares emergency after 7.7-magnitude quake, 200-plus aftershocks

· Climate · Panama

Panama's government declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes, including a 7.7-magnitude quake, struck the country on Friday, prompting evacuations and toppling buildings. More than 200 aftershocks followed, some as strong as magnitude 6.0. No deaths have been reported, but at least 27 people were injured and nearly 900 homes were damaged. President Jose Raul Mulino declared the emergency to speed up to up to US$100 million in aid. Officials said they did not attribute any deaths to the quakes. Communities remained rattled for hours as aftershocks continued.

Why it matters：The quakes and hundreds of aftershocks test Panama's disaster response and could carry economic costs for a country that is a key logistics hub.

Key points

  • A 7.7-magnitude quake struck Friday, followed by more than 200 aftershocks.
  • At least 27 people were injured and nearly 900 homes damaged.
  • President Mulino declared an emergency to speed up up to US$100 million in aid.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day