Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Panama days after powerful 7.7 quake
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Panama days after powerful 7.7 quake")
Aftermath of Panama earthquake Photograph: (AFP)
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Panama at a depth of 10 km early Tuesday, according to India's National Centre for Seismology. The tremor comes days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake damaged homes, roads and public buildings, prompting Panama to declare a state of emergency.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Panama in the early hours of Tuesday (Pct 13), according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). This earthquake struck Panama days after an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 on Friday night ravaged the country. The NCS said in a post on X that the earthquake measured 6.1 on the Richter scale and occurred at 4:50:37 am Indian Standard Time (IST) on Tuesday, October 13. The epicentre was located at latitude 7.683 degrees north and longitude 81.405 degrees west, in Panama. The earthquake originated at a depth of 10 kilometres below the Earth's surface, making it a relatively shallow earthquake.
The earthquake on Friday was followed by 147 aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6, René García, director of the Emergency Operations Centre. The country also declared a state of emergency on Saturday (local time) to coordinate relief efforts and assist communities affected by the earthquake. Panama's Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac, while addressing a press conference at the presidential palace, said the declaration would ensure that government agencies remained on standby and had the resources required to help affected communities. The government has also established donation collection centres, including one at Omar Park in Panama City, while provincial government offices will serve as additional collection points. The US Embassy in Panama had warned of possible aftershocks and potential tsunami threats across nine countries in Central and South America.
On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed solidarity with the government and people of Panama following an earthquake on October 9, extending prayers to those injured and affected by the disaster. In a post shared on X, Jaishankar said, “India stands with the Government and people of Panama following the earthquake. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and affected, especially the families who have suffered loss and hardship.” The Ministry of External Affairs also stated, “India conveys solidarity with the Government and people of Panama, following the earthquake.”
The most significant damage was reported in Coclé province on the southern coast, with some damage in Panama City. Panama’s public transit system had suspended services on two metro lines, while the country’s main international airport was temporarily closed as a precaution before operations resumed later in the day, CNN reported, quoting the civil aviation authority as saying. President Mulino called for calm, mobilised resources and visited an affected hospital in Penonome, where patients were evacuated and treated outdoors, CNN reported.
