7.5 earthquake  strikes Panama

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, October 9, sending goods tumbling from supermarket shelves and causing damage to homes, businesses, churches, hospitals, and road infrastructure in several provinces. Residents of high-rises in the capital city were forced to evacuate as more than 100 aftershocks were recorded.

The preliminary report from the National Emergency Operations Center (COE) – released at 3:00 pm – reported the collapse of the Dos Continentes hotel in Coclé, 15 students with minor injuries, and one person rescued in the municipal market of Aguadulce.

The epicenter  was 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí, at a depth of 4 kilometers, according to the Government report.

Panama Metro: Lines 1 and 2 were evacuated following the quake; service will resume pending inspections by the fire department.

 Tocumen International Airport closed for a few hours

Coclé Province: The Dos Continentes Hotel collapsed, with no injuries reported; storefronts collapsed, and churches and roads were damaged. Hospitals were evacuated, and 15 students from the Alberto Zúñiga School were treated for minor injuries. One person was rescued at the Aguadulce municipal market.

Los Santos Province: saw collapsed residences, damage to churches, government buildings, and roads. Damage was also reported at two fire stations and a National Police station. The hospitals in Tonosí and Pedasí sustained minor damage.

 Veraguas Province: reported minor damage to the infrastructure of the Zapallal educational center.

Chiriquí Province: damage to residences and some businesses.

Damage to plant infrastructure was reported nationwide. The Chilibre water treatment plant was operating at 20% capacity. By 8:30 pm, it had reached 100% capacity.

Increased swells were reported on Isla Cañas in Los Santos Province. Security and emergency services are monitoring sea levels.