Panama City, Panama: An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Panama in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13, according to India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located at latitude 7.683° North and longitude 81.405° West.
In a post on X, the NCS reported that the earthquake occurred at 4:50 am IST on Tuesday.
The latest tremor comes days after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama on October 9, triggering numerous aftershocks and damaging buildings and infrastructure in several parts of the country.
Panama Reports Aftershocks Following Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake
Panama experienced a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Friday night, followed by 147 aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6, René García, director of the Emergency Operations Centre, told CNN.
According to reports, the earlier earthquake caused damage to homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads and public buildings across several areas. The most significant damage was reported in Coclé province on the southern coast, while some damage was also recorded in Panama City.
CNN, citing the US Geological Survey (USGS), reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 for the earlier quake. Panama’s civil protection system reported structural damage to homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches.
Several people sustained minor injuries, but no fatalities or missing persons had been reported at the time of the cited report.
Panama Declares State of Emergency to Coordinate Relief
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief operations and support communities affected by the October 9 earthquake.
Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said the declaration would ensure that government agencies remained on standby and had the resources needed to assist affected communities.
Orillac said President José Raúl Mulino had ordered the formation of a commission to coordinate relief operations, manage resources and address the needs of people affected by the disaster.
The government also established donation collection centres, including one at Omar Park in Panama City. Provincial government offices were designated as additional collection points.
The earlier earthquake struck at 12:56 pm local time on Friday, with its epicentre located about 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province, according to Xinhua.
India Expresses Solidarity With Panama
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed solidarity with the government and people of Panama following the October 9 earthquake. He also conveyed prayers for those injured and affected by the disaster.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said India stood with Panama and extended its thoughts and prayers to those affected, particularly families facing loss and hardship.
The Ministry of External Affairs also reiterated India’s solidarity with the Panamanian government and people.
Transport Disruptions and Tsunami Warning
Following the earlier earthquake, Panama temporarily suspended services on two metro lines. The country’s main international airport was also temporarily closed as a precaution before operations resumed later in the day, CNN reported, citing the civil aviation authority.
President Mulino called for calm, mobilised resources and visited an affected hospital in Penonomé, where patients were evacuated and treated outdoors.
The US Tsunami Warning System had initially warned of possible tsunami waves along some coastlines. However, it later announced that the tsunami threat had passed.
The US Embassy in Panama had also warned of possible aftershocks and potential tsunami threats across nine countries in Central and South America.
Authorities and emergency agencies have been coordinating relief efforts following the earlier earthquake, while the latest magnitude 6.1 tremor adds to concerns after the series of seismic events.