Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits Panama coast as nine countries issued tsunami warnings
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A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake has struck off the coast of Panama.
The USGS said the epicentre was located roughly 10 kilometres (6 miles) south-west of Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community near Panama’s southern tip.
It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).
Tremors were felt in Panama City, swaying buildings and sending people into the streets.
Visibly shaken residents waited outside for news of the impact.
No damage was immediately reported, though television broadcasts showed building evacuations.
Panama’s Civil Protection said it is assessing potential damage in regions near where the quake occurred.
“We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared,” Rosendo Domínguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, where the earthquake struck, told The Associated Press by phone.
“Everyone is outside, scared.”
Tremors were also felt in Colombia and Costa Rica, according to reports.
Following the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System alerted nine countries to possible coastal tsunami waves.
Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico have all been warned over the threat of tsunami waves within the next three hours.
The system also said there was a tsunami threat to Hawaii.
More to follow…
