Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes southern Panama; building collapses reported
In short
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama at 12:56 local time on October 9, according to the USGS, as cited by Kyodo. Reports of collapsed hotels and churches in Cocle province were being checked by local authorities, while the Panama Canal was operating normally, Kyodo reported, citing Reuters.
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A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama at 12:56 local time on October 9, or 02:56 October 10 in Japan, according to the US Geological Survey, as cited in a Kyodo dispatch carried by Tokyo Shimbun. The epicenter was about 60 km southeast of Santiago and 12.6 km deep. [ 6 ]
Kyodo reported information that hotels and churches had collapsed in central Cocle province near the epicenter, with local authorities checking the damage. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun's headline mentioned reports of a hotel collapse, Jiji Press reported collapsed houses and Livedoor News said the capital was also damaged. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The Panama Canal was operating normally, Kyodo reported, citing Reuters. The dispatch said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii urged surrounding countries from Mexico to Peru to be alert for a tsunami because the epicenter was near the Pacific coast. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center urged countries from Mexico to Peru to be alert for a tsunami. Authorities were still checking building damage near the epicenter.
Key facts
- A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The quake occurred at 12:56 local time October 9, according to the USGS, as cited by Kyodo. [ 6 ]
- The USGS placed the epicenter about 60 km southeast of Santiago at a depth of 12.6 km. [ 6 ]
- Kyodo reported information that hotels and churches had collapsed in Cocle province. [ 6 ]
- The Panama Canal was operating normally, Kyodo reported, citing Reuters. [ 6 ]
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The earthquake struck October 9 in Panama local time, according to the USGS, as cited by Kyodo. [ 6 ]