A series of powerful earthquakes struck southern Panama on Friday, causing widespread damage and injuries but, as of evening reports, no confirmed fatalities. The most significant quake registered between magnitude 7.6 and 7.7, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with a subsequent 6.6 magnitude tremor and numerous aftershocks continuing to shake the region.

The initial earthquake occurred around midday, centered approximately 10 kilometers southwest of the rural community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, at a depth of about 10 kilometers. The tremor was felt as far away as neighboring Colombia, unsettling residents and prompting evacuations across Panama.

Panama City, the country’s capital, located more than 100 kilometers from the epicenter, experienced strong shaking, leading many residents to gather outside buildings in fear. Local accounts described overturned household items and visible structural damage. Speaking from Herrera province, a resident recounted the intense sensation of the quake, noting widespread alarm but no immediate harm.

Damage was primarily concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. Among the structures affected were government buildings, a hotel, and several historic sites. In Penonomé, the capital of Coclé province, authorities reported that debris from a partially collapsed structure injured one person. The main cathedral in Penonomé suffered partial collapse and cracks, while the Church of San Atanasio in Los Santos province, a colonial-style Catholic church designated a National Historic Heritage Site since 1938, was reported to have collapsed completely. Additionally, large fissures appeared along roadways in Veraguas province, complicating transportation and response efforts.

Despite images of widespread destruction and the strength of the quakes, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino stated on Friday evening that no deaths had been documented at that time, though he acknowledged the situation continued to evolve. He urged calm and preparedness, reminding the public that no one is fully ready for such natural disasters.

Officials from the National Civil Protection Service confirmed multiple injuries and ongoing damage assessments. Tocumen International Airport, one of the busiest in the region, temporarily halted operations but resumed later in the day. The Panama Canal Authority reported no disruptions to canal activities, emphasizing that safety inspections were underway to ensure the integrity of the global shipping route.

Seismologists noted that the comparatively lower casualty figures in Panama, especially given the quake’s magnitude, may be attributed to the country’s stringent building codes. These regulations particularly govern the construction of high-rise buildings in Panama City, potentially mitigating worse damage seen in recent earthquakes elsewhere in the region.

This event adds to a recent pattern of significant seismic activity in northern South America. In June, Venezuela’s La Guaira state experienced back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5, resulting in over 6,500 deaths and widespread homelessness. In August, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia caused at least 289 fatalities. The Panama quakes, while serious, have so far resulted in fewer casualties and are still under detailed evaluation by authorities.