New statements have been made by officials regarding the earthquake that occurred in Panama. The Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama reported that the initial tremor, which occurred at 12:56 local time, was recorded at a magnitude of 7.2 and at a depth of 4 kilometers.
Experts stated that more than 40 aftershocks, some exceeding a magnitude of 5.0, occurred until 17:30, and that one of the aftershocks had a magnitude of 6.9.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which initially announced the magnitude of the earthquake as 8.0 and then as 7.6, revised the magnitude of the natural disaster to 7.7 following its latest assessment.
Rene Garcia, head of Panama's National Emergency Operations, reported in a statement to the press that there were no fatalities in the earthquake. Officials noted that 27 people were injured in the earthquake, which caused significant material damage to buildings and roads in the central parts of the country.
Public services negatively affected, flights disrupted
The earthquake, which was felt in various parts of the country, especially in the capital Panama City, as well as in neighboring countries, negatively affected public services. The Panama National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) announced that there were power outages at some water treatment plants, and as a result, production was halted or restricted. Following the tremor, citizens in buildings and workplaces took to the streets, and the government mobilized emergency response teams.
Due to the earthquake, there were disruptions to flights at Tocumen International Airport. After airport operations were temporarily suspended and passengers were evacuated as a precaution, flights returned to normal in a short time. Airport officials reported that no damage was detected that would prevent the continuation of operations.
The Panama Canal Authority also announced that operations at the canal were continuing normally. It was stated that emergency procedures were activated and inspections were carried out at facilities in the region. The Panama Civil Defense Agency reported that inspections are continuing in areas close to the epicenter to determine potential damage.
Panama is located on the "Pacific Ring of Fire," which is known as a belt of seismic activity and volcanic formations approximately 40 thousand kilometers long that surrounds the Pacific Ocean.
News Source: 12punto
