A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Panama early Tuesday, according to India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS), days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the Central American country, triggering widespread damage and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.
In a post on X, the NCS said the earthquake occurred at 4:50 a.m. IST on Oct. 13 at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was recorded at latitude 7.683 degrees north and longitude 81.405 degrees west.
The latest tremor comes after a major earthquake struck Panama on Friday, Oct. 9, damaging homes, roads, schools, health facilities and public buildings across several parts of the country.
According to CNN, citing Panama’s Emergency Operations Centre director René García, the initial earthquake was followed by 147 aftershocks, with some registering magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6.
Panama Declares State Of Emergency
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief operations and provide assistance to communities affected by the powerful earthquake, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said the declaration would ensure that government agencies remained on standby and had the necessary resources to respond to the needs of affected communities.
Orillac also said President Jose Raul Mulino had ordered the formation of a commission to coordinate relief efforts, manage resources and oversee assistance to those impacted by the disaster.
The government has established donation collection centres, including one at Omar Park in Panama City. Provincial government offices are also serving as additional collection points for relief supplies.
The earthquake struck at 12:56 p.m. local time on Friday, with its epicentre located about 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province, Xinhua reported.
CNN, citing the US Geological Survey, reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 for the earthquake. Panama’s civil protection system reported structural damage to homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches.
The most significant damage was reported in Coclé province along the country’s southern coast, while some damage was also recorded in Panama City, CNN reported. Several people sustained minor injuries, with no fatalities or missing persons reported at the time of the report.
Public transport services on two metro lines were suspended following the earthquake. 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 urged people to remain calm, mobilised government resources and visited an affected hospital in Penonome, where patients were evacuated and treated outdoors.
The US Tsunami Warning System initially warned of possible tsunami waves along parts of the coast before subsequently confirming that the threat had passed. The US Embassy in Panama had also warned of possible aftershocks and potential tsunami threats affecting nine countries in Central and South America.
India Expresses Solidarity With Panama
India expressed solidarity with Panama following the devastating earthquake, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar extending support to the country and those affected.
In a post on X on Saturday, Jaishankar said India stood with the government and people of Panama and conveyed prayers for those injured and affected by the disaster.
“India stands with the Government and people of Panama following the earthquake. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and affected, especially the families who have suffered loss and hardship,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs also conveyed India’s solidarity with Panama following the earthquake.
The latest tremor adds to the challenges facing authorities as they continue relief operations and assess the impact of the powerful earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks.
