A massive earthquake preliminarily measuring 7.6 magnitude struck about nine miles west of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama, just before 11 a.m. on Oct. 9, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
A tsunami threat warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the surrounding countries.
Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala are under a tsunami warning. The warning was was not extended to the United States or Canada, the NWS said.
“Earthquakes of this size are known to generate tsunamis potentially dangerous to coasts outside the source region,” the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, stated in a warning at 11:05 a.m. “This earthquake has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami in the source region.”
Shaking from the major quake was felt 120 miles away in Panama City. Visitors and residents shared video of the roofs buckling at the Albrook Terminal, a major bus terminal in the city, and passengers running for safety at the Metro de San Miguelito terminal.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino called for citizens to remain calm while the country’s emergency crews assessed damages.
“What happened should not be used to generate alarms and disorder,” Mulino said in a post on X.
A 5.8 magnitude aftershock struck El Cacao, Panama, about 27 miles away from the epicenter of the first event in Pitaloza Arriba, a rural community on the southern tip of the country, according to USGS.
People around the Central American country who felt the powerful quake reported their experiences.
Sahil Bloom, an author and entrepreneur, said he was in Panama for a speaking event and was on the seventh floor of a hotel waiting to fly home when the earthquake hit.
“Whole hotel started swaying and rumbling. Got in a doorway. Felt like a large earthquake. Crazy experience,” Bloom stated on social media.
Manolo Alvarez Cedeño was in his car driving through Panama City and said his vehicle “shook terribly.”
Video and photos of damage from the region most affected were shared on social media.
The traffic reporting site Trafico Panama reported at least one building was destroyed. A road in Mariato Veraguas province cracked in half and became impassable at one location.
Local media reported property damage in the city of Penonomé, about 75 miles northeast of the earthquake. One photo showed a three-story apartment building collapsed on several vehicles parked beneath it.
Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport remained open after experiencing temporary closures and flight diversions.
The USGS estimated Friday’s earthquake could result in hundreds of casualties.
“Extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS stated.
Estimated losses are 1 percent to 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, the USGS reported.
“Past events with this alert level have required a national or international level response,” USGS said.