7.7 Magnitude Quake Rocks Panama; Buildings Toppled, Aftershocks Continue

Panama is assessing the damage caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, including a fresh magnitude 5.5 tremor on Saturday, October 10. Buildings collapsed or suffered severe damage in Los Santos province, while hospital patients in Las Tablas were moved outdoors. The government declared a state of emergency as authorities assessed damaged structures and arranged temporary shelters for people unable to return home. Officials reported 426 houses and around 2,130 people affected, with no fatalities reported at the time.