A powerful earthquake struck near the southern coast of Panama on Friday. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 7.6, though some reports indicated a preliminary magnitude of 7.7. The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 km and was centered near the country's southern tip, approximately 10 to 14 km southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba.
The earthquake shook buildings as far away as the capital city, prompting evacuations. Despite the intensity of the tremors, no damage was initially reported. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that the waterway continued to operate normally following the event.
The quake triggered tsunami warnings across much of the Pacific coast of Central and South America. Hazardous waves were possible in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. While warnings were issued for several neighboring countries, authorities later canceled the tsunami alert for the region.