Overseas Chinese leaders in Panama experienced the earthquake with their own eyes: aftershocks continued, but no overseas Chinese casualties yet

China News Service, Beijing, October 10 (Reporter Xu Wenxin) On October 9, local time, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake occurred in Panama, and aftershocks have continued since then. Many overseas Chinese who experienced the earthquake said in an online interview with China News Service that they have not received any reports of casualties among overseas Chinese. Chinese associations are reporting safety to each other through WeChat, phone calls, etc., and reminding compatriots to guard against aftershocks.

When the earthquake occurred, Liu Zhizhen, president of the Chinese Association of Cabo Chili Province in Panama, was dining in a restaurant in Panama City. "There was no early warning, and the earthquake was so severe that many people ran outside in panic. Aftershocks were frequent, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, and communications were interrupted for about 45 minutes."

Liu Zhizhen's home is in Penonome, an earthquake-stricken area in Cocle Province, central Panama, about 120 kilometers away from Panama City. After the earthquake, he drove home, and the original two-hour drive took more than six hours due to congestion. He said that in the supermarket run by his family, goods were scattered and the ceiling fell, but fortunately, staff were evacuated in time. Houses were damaged in Penonome, a three-story hotel partially collapsed, and the provincial government building was also damaged. Many houses on a major local commercial street had large cracks in their exterior walls, and the government prohibited people from entering.

Liu Zhizhen said that no reports of casualties among overseas Chinese have been received yet. The government has opened shelters at the stadium, and the Chung Hwa Association will decide on subsequent donations based on the disaster situation.

Huang Qianwei, secretary-general of the Panama Gugang State Association, was in the factory office in Panama City during the earthquake. "The cup suddenly made a loud noise and shook for about 30 to 40 seconds."

He said that local overseas Chinese communicated through WeChat and did not encounter any major problems. However, many people dare not go upstairs at night and choose to stay temporarily in friends' bungalows or low-rise buildings.

Huang Qianwei said that gas and electricity in some high-rise residential areas in Panama City were shut down, and a section of road collapsed. The city express line was free for the day, the subway was suspended, and the local airport was closed for a time and did not open until 5 p.m. local time. Many ships were waiting to pass through the Panama Canal.

At the time of the earthquake, Lin Weibin, president of the Panama Chiriqui Overseas Chinese Association, was about 200 kilometers away from the epicenter. "I immediately called my family and ran out. The whole building shook violently and lasted for more than a minute. This is the first time in Panama that we have experienced such a strong earthquake in 39 years."

Lin Weibin said that a large number of overseas Chinese in Panama operate supermarkets. Many supermarket goods fell after the earthquake, but there were no major losses. The association has reminded overseas Chinese to pay attention to aftershocks, prepare emergency supplies such as earthquake kits and flashlights, and publish the emergency telephone number and the association hotline to the WeChat group. So far, no overseas Chinese have been reported injured. Local schools and government departments have been on holiday, many shops are closed, and the streets are deserted.