Strong earthquake strikes Panama; reports differ on magnitude, canal operating normally
In short
A strong earthquake struck Panama on October 9 at 17:56 GMT (01:56 on October 10, Beijing time), with Xinhua reporting a magnitude of 7.6 and CLS a magnitude of 8.0, both citing the US Geological Survey. Xinhua published photos of damaged houses and vehicles in Soná, Veraguas province, and of people taking refuge in the streets of Panama City. The Panama Canal Authority said canal operations remained normal.
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A strong earthquake struck Panama at 17:56 GMT on October 9, or 01:56 on October 10 Beijing time, Xinhua reported, citing the US Geological Survey's earthquake information network. Xinhua put the magnitude at 7.6, with the epicentre near the Pitaluosa (皮塔洛萨) area in inland Panama, at 7.60 degrees north and 80.76 degrees west and a depth of 10 km. CLS, also citing the US Geological Survey, reported a magnitude of 8.0, located 14 km southwest of Pitaluosa Aliba (皮塔洛萨阿里巴). [ 1 , 2 ]
Photos published by Xinhua showed houses and vehicles damaged in Soná, Veraguas province, which Xinhua described as part of the quake-hit area, and people taking refuge in the streets of the capital, Panama City, after the quake. The documents give no figures for casualties. [ 2 ]
The Panama Canal Authority said in a statement on October 9 that canal operations remained normal and had not been affected so far, CLS reported. The authority said the quake occurred at about 12:56 local time, that it had activated its emergency plan, and that technicians were inspecting facilities to determine whether they had been affected. It said it would release verified updates as the assessment progressed. [ 3 ]
Yicai reported that the Chinese embassy reminded Chinese citizens in Panama to guard against earthquake disasters. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
The Panama Canal Authority said the canal had not been affected so far, but technicians were still inspecting facilities and the authority said it would release verified updates as its assessment progressed. The Chinese embassy in Panama issued a reminder to Chinese citizens there to guard against earthquake disasters.
Key facts
- Xinhua, citing the US Geological Survey, reported a magnitude 7.6 earthquake near the Pitaluosa (皮塔洛萨) area in inland Panama. [ 2 ]
- CLS, citing the US Geological Survey, reported a magnitude 8.0 earthquake 14 km southwest of Pitaluosa Aliba (皮塔洛萨阿里巴), Panama. [ 1 ]
- The quake struck at 17:56 GMT on October 9 (01:56 on October 10, Beijing time); the Panama Canal Authority put it at about 12:56 local time. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Xinhua gave the epicentre as 7.60 degrees north, 80.76 degrees west, at a depth of 10 km. [ 2 ]
- Houses and vehicles were damaged in Soná, Veraguas province, according to Xinhua photos. [ 2 ]
- The Panama Canal Authority said canal operations remained normal, that it had activated its emergency plan and that technicians were inspecting facilities. [ 3 ]
- The Chinese embassy reminded Chinese citizens in Panama to guard against earthquake disasters. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The magnitude of the earthquake. Xinhua reported 7.6 and CLS reported 8.0, both citing the US Geological Survey.
- Casualties and the full extent of damage. None of the documents give figures for casualties or overall damage.
- Whether the Panama Canal's facilities were affected. The canal authority said operations were normal but inspections were still under way and it would release verified updates as the assessment progressed.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Earthquake strikes Panama (17:56 GMT on October 9; Beijing time on October 10). [ 2 ]
- CLS reports a magnitude 8.0 quake, citing the US Geological Survey. [ 1 ]
- Xinhua reports a magnitude 7.6 quake, citing the US Geological Survey. [ 2 ]
- CLS reports the Panama Canal Authority's statement that canal operations remain normal. [ 3 ]
- Yicai reports the Chinese embassy's reminder to Chinese citizens in Panama to guard against earthquake disasters. [ 4 ]