Panama earthquake: Videos show people fleeing as buildings shake; resident says 'everyone is scared'

Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and residents rushed outside for safety.

A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was felt in capital Panama City shook buildings in the capital and prompting people to evacuate into the streets, .

People evacuated from a building gather at a square after a severe earthquake hit the country, in Panama City. (AFP)

The quake was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community near Panama’s southern coast. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), the USGS said.

Videos show people fleeing as buildings shake

Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and residents rushed outside for safety. Videos circulating online showed people gathering in the streets, visibly shaken by the powerful earthquake.

“We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared," Rosendo Domínguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, where the earthquake struck, told The Associated Press by phone. “Everyone is outside, scared.”

Tsunami warning issued after Panama earthquake

The National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning on Friday for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala following the earthquake.

Local media reported that the tremors were also felt in parts of neighboring Colombia.

Panama’s Civil Protection agency said it was assessing possible damage in areas near the epicenter. Further details on the impact of the earthquake were not immediately available.

Is Hawaii under tsunami warning?

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii following the earthquake.

"Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected, and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii," the agency said.