Panama on alert: Strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake shakes Coclé province
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama this Friday, leaving a scene of destruction in the city of Penonomé, Coclé province. The seismic movement, recorded at 12:56 p.m. local time, had its epicenter near Tonosí and originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, causing significant material damage to various infrastructures in the region.
Material damage and collapsed structures
The impact of the earthquake was severe in several key points of the city. Among the most notable damages are:
- Hotel Dos Continentes: The rear part of this establishment, located on the Pan-American Highway, collapsed onto several parked vehicles. Fortunately, the prior evacuation of the occupants prevented a greater tragedy.
- San Juan Bautista Cathedral: One of the temple’s towers suffered a structural collapse. At that moment, Bishop Edgardo Cedeño and several priests were inside, but they remained unharmed.
- Governor’s Office of Coclé: The building suffered a partial collapse of one of its sides, leaving the offices exposed, in addition to showing considerable cracks throughout the rest of the structure.
The tremor began with moderate intensity and subsequently increased in strength, which allowed the occupants of the establishment to evacuate before the collapse.
Government response and security measures
In the face of the emergency, the Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, traveled personally to Penonomé along with the Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, to supervise rescue efforts and coordinate immediate assistance to the affected communities. The president has maintained constant monitoring, using his official channels to report on the management of institutional responses.
Regarding maritime safety, the United States Tsunami Warning System activated a preventive warning for the Pacific coasts of Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. However, said alert was successfully lifted three hours after the seismic event.
In the capital, Panama City, the earthquake was felt with great intensity, causing the preventive evacuation of buildings in the banking district and reports of minor damage to the roofs of shopping centers. So far, authorities are continuing with inspection and damage assessment efforts, with no official report issued regarding fatalities or serious injuries.
