Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday after two powerful earthquakes and more than 100 aftershocks battered the country, with damage reported in all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories.
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Key facts
- Panama's government declared a state of emergency on Saturday.
- Two earthquakes struck Friday, measuring magnitude 7.7 and 6.6.
- More than 100 aftershocks were recorded, some as high as magnitude 5.8.
- Damage was reported in all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories.
- Officials did not attribute any deaths to the quakes.
Panama’s government declared a state of emergency on Saturday as aftershocks from two powerful earthquakes continued to shake communities for hours, according to the Guardian.
The two quakes, which struck on Friday, measured magnitude 7.7 and 6.6. They toppled buildings and prompted evacuations across the country, the Guardian reported.
In the hours that followed, officials recorded more than 100 aftershocks, with some reaching as high as magnitude 5.8, adding to the strain on affected communities.
Despite the scale of the tremors, officials did not attribute any deaths to Friday’s earthquakes. However, they reported damage in all 10 of Panama’s provinces, as well as in two Indigenous territories.
The declaration of a state of emergency signals the government’s effort to coordinate a nationwide response as communities assess the damage and brace for further aftershocks.
Why it matters
A nationwide state of emergency reflects the broad reach of the quakes, which caused damage in every Panamanian province. For residents, continuing aftershocks mean ongoing risk and uncertainty even after the main tremors have passed.
Frequently asked questions
How strong were the earthquakes in Panama?
According to the Guardian, two earthquakes struck Friday measuring magnitude 7.7 and 6.6, followed by more than 100 aftershocks as high as magnitude 5.8.
Were there any deaths reported?
Officials did not attribute any deaths to Friday's earthquakes, though they reported damage across all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories.
What areas were affected?
Damage was reported in all 10 of Panama's provinces and in two Indigenous territories.
Timeline
- ‘It was a terrible thing’: Panama declares state of emergency as quake aftershocks rattle communities
The Guardian World: More than 100 aftershocks as high as magnitude-5.8 recorded after two quakes toppled buildings and prompted evacuations Panama’s government has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as the aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that roiled the country shook communities for h