More than 20 people injured in 7.7 earthquake that hit Panama, authorities say

The collapse of buildings caused by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Panama on Friday (9) injured at least 27 people in the center of the country, authorities said on Saturday.

"It was horrible, something we had never experienced. My daughter was stuck at school. Thank God we are okay," said Juana Alveo, 38, who works as an attendant at a store in Penonomé, 150 kilometers from Panama City.

The earthquake occurred at 12:56 pm local time, with its epicenter ten kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba, in the province of Herrera, in the center-south of the country, according to the USGS (United States Geological Survey).

The greatest damage was recorded in the provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Coclé. Felt for almost a minute, the tremor reached Panama City, where thousands of people left the buildings, overcome by fear.

The USGS revised the earthquake's magnitude to 7.7, after an initial estimate of 8 and a second estimate of 7.6. Earthquakes in Panama's capital are not common. They occur mainly in the province of Chiriquí, on the border with Costa Rica, where Friday's tremor also made sense.

According to authorities, more than a hundred aftershocks were recorded. The director of the Emergency Operations Center, René García, said there were no records of deaths.

The Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) donated US$250,000 to Panama for "immediate humanitarian attention" and made another US$50 million available "with a line of financing" for emergencies.

According to a statement from Sinaproc (National Civil Protection System), 27 people were slightly injured across the country. The earthquake caused damage to homes, educational centers, hospitals, churches, government buildings, bridges and highways.

"The disaster we are facing is great," said Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, adding that roads were "totally destroyed" or "completely collapsed."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on social media site X that his department "is rapidly mobilizing resources and staff to provide assistance."

Panama Canal authorities announced that the route, through which 5% of international maritime trade passes, is operating normally. Tocumen airport, an important air connection hub in Latin America, was temporarily closed, and several flights were diverted.

Tonosí, a town of 9,000 inhabitants 360 kilometers from Panama City, is one of the most affected areas.

The Minister of Health, Fernando Boyd, stated that the location was inaccessible by land.