State of emergency declared in Panama following earthquake

The Panamanian government has declared a state of emergency to coordinate assistance to those affected by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday, October 9, the Minister of the Presidency, Juan Carlos Orillac, announced  Saturday

Orillac said that, with this declaration, ministers and public institutions must be available and have the necessary resources to assist the communities affected by the seismic activity.

The official said that assistance will be organized as authorities receive information about the needs of people and communities affected.

A  Government team will coordinate aid and follow up on the needs identified in the areas affected by the earthquake.

The Government has enabled Omar Park, located in San Francisco, Panama City, to serve as one of the collection centers to receive donations destined for the people affected by the earthquake.

The governorships of each province will receive donations to channel the aid.

The 7.7magnitude earthquake was recorded at 12:56 pm on Friday, October 9, with its epicenter in Tonosí, Los Santos province, triggered landslides and caused damage to homes, educational centers, health facilities, roads and public buildings in different regions of the country. In some areas 50 percent of homes have been destroyed

Senan, Panama’s Air and Naval Service, is conducting aerial patrols to verify the conditions of the impacted areas and help ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the families.

The reported damages include more than 47 homes affected in Veraguas, 59 in Coclé and 140 in Los Santos.