A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolted waters off Panama’s southern coast on Monday, sending residents rushing into the streets and triggering tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific, according to the US Geological Survey.
The quake struck at a depth of 10km, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of damage in Panama, though television footage showed people evacuating buildings as the shaking spread.
Authorities later revised the earthquake’s strength down from an initial estimate of 8.0 magnitude.
In Panama City, the country’s capital, tremors were felt strongly enough to rattle buildings, prompting evacuations as people sought open areas away from structures.
Outside, visibly shaken residents gathered and waited for updates on the quake’s impact.
“We felt it very strongly,” said one resident from the Herrera province, where the earthquake struck.
“It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared. Everyone is outside, scared.”
The US Tsunami Warning System indicated a potential tsunami threat along much of Central America’s Pacific coastline, and extending to Colombia and Ecuador.
“Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within the next three hours” in that area, the monitor said, warning that people could be swept out to sea or crushed by debris in the water.
Reuters witnesses reported the quake was felt in Panama City and in San José, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica.
Local media also said the shaking reached parts of neighbouring Colombia.
Panama’s Civil Protection said it was investigating possible damages in regions near where the earthquake took place.
