Natural Calamity / Panama Hit by 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake after Weekend Tremors
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Panama reels from relentless seismic shocks: a 6.3 quake hit Veraguas Monday after a 5.0 tremor Sunday and a devastating 7.5 quake Friday, prompting emergency response and nationwide relief efforts.
Panama City, Oct 13: Panama was rattled again Monday evening as a magnitude‑6.3 earthquake shook the western province of Veraguas, the Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama reported.
The tremor struck at 6:20 pm local time (2320 GMT), with its epicentre pinpointed 32 km southwest of Sona at a shallow depth of 10 km. Despite the force of the quake, Xinhua news agency confirmed there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
This latest quake followed a magnitude‑5.0 tremor that jolted Panama on Sunday at 1711 GMT, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences confirmed. That epicentre, also at a depth of 10 km, was initially determined at 7.71 degrees north latitude and 81.63 degrees west longitude.
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✨Panama has been reeling from seismic activity since Friday, when a magnitude‑7.5 earthquake devastated parts of the country.
The powerful quake struck at 12:56 pm local time, with its epicentre about 39 km northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province. Homes, schools, health facilities, roads and public buildings sustained damage across several regions.
In response, the government declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief efforts. Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac told reporters at the presidential palace that the declaration would ensure agencies remain on standby with resources ready to assist.
“The declaration would ensure government agencies remain on standby and have the resources needed to assist those affected,” he said.
Orillac added that President Jose Raul Mulino had ordered the creation of a commission to manage relief operations, resources and community needs.
He noted that donation centres had been set up, including one at Omar Park in Panama City, with provincial offices serving as additional collection points.
Authorities continue assessing damage while coordinating emergency response across affected provinces.
(IANS)
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