Symbolic imagePanama declares state of emergency after 7.7 quake
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday, a day after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. At least 27 people were lightly injured and no deaths have been reported.
The quake struck on Friday, 9 October, at 12:56 local time, with its epicentre about 10 kilometres from Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, according to the US Geological Survey. The agency raised its magnitude estimate from 7.6 to 7.7, while the Honolulu warning centre had first given 8.0. A tsunami alert for Pacific coasts was lifted hours later. On Saturday residents began clearing debris, and many slept outdoors for fear of aftershocks, AFP reported via Le Monde.
Damage and cut-off towns
Telesur cites a preliminary count of 136 homes with structural damage, 188 schools and 14 hospitals and health units. Collapsed roads and bridges isolated communities, and the health minister said Tonosí was cut off by land. The Panama Canal authority says the waterway operates normally.
Aftershocks, health services and aid
More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded, and Telesur reports one of magnitude 6.3 at night. The social security fund halted hemodialysis nationwide for lack of water and hopes to resume on Sunday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced resources and personnel, and the development bank CAF donated US$250,000.