7.6-magnitude earthquake strikes near Panama, tsunami warnings issued and canceled

A 7.6‑magnitude earthquake struck 10 km beneath the southern coast of Panama on Friday, shaking buildings as far away as Panama City and prompting evacuations in coastal towns. The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at 02:14 GMT, and the US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for possible waves along much of Central America’s Pacific shoreline. Residents along the Gulf of Chiriquí were urged to move to higher ground as authorities prepared for a potential tsunami.

The quake occurred where the Cocos Plate slides beneath the Caribbean Plate along the Middle America Trench, a zone that has produced powerful tremors in the past but rarely at this depth and magnitude. Panama’s tectonic setting makes it vulnerable to both ground shaking and sea‑level disturbances that could affect the Panama Canal, a critical conduit for global trade. The last quake of comparable size in the region was the 7.5‑magnitude event in 1999 that caused significant damage in Costa Rica. Because the epicenter was close to the coast, scientists warned that even a modest tsunami could threaten low‑lying communities, fishing ports, and the infrastructure that supports the canal’s operations. Early warning systems, upgraded after the 2010 Haiti disaster, allowed agencies to issue alerts within minutes, reducing the risk of panic.

Panama’s National Seismology Network confirmed no major structural failures in the capital, but minor cracks appeared in older buildings and some roads reported surface fissures. The government ordered the evacuation of schools and hospitals in the most exposed districts and deployed the National Emergency Committee to coordinate rescue teams. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center kept the tsunami advisory in place for six hours before canceling it, noting that sea‑level readings showed only a 15‑centimetre rise, well below dangerous levels. Officials said aftershocks are likely and urged residents to stay alert. International aid agencies have been placed on standby, and engineers will inspect the canal’s lock system for any hidden damage. The next few days will focus on damage assessments, restoring utilities, and ensuring that the vital waterway remains safe for the world’s shipping traffic.