Panama declared a state of emergency Saturday following the prolonged aftershocks of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Friday. The tremors, which rattled communities for hours, prompted authorities to activate emergency protocols as damage was reported across all ten provinces.
The first earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, struck near the town of La Villa de los Santos at 5:12 a.M. Local time. It was followed by a second, more intense tremor of 6.3 magnitude at 6:22 a.M. Causing widespread panic and structural concerns. Emergency services reported that no casualties were confirmed, though many residents remained in shelters due to the ongoing risk of further quakes.
The government has deployed rescue teams to assess damage and provide aid to affected areas. Officials emphasized that the situation remains unstable, with aftershocks continuing to disrupt daily life. The country’s disaster management agency confirmed that infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been damaged in multiple regions.
This is the second major seismic event in Panama this month, following a series of smaller tremors in early October. While the country has experienced similar quakes in the past, the scale and duration of this week’s activity have raised concerns among geologists. Authorities are now monitoring the region closely for any signs of further seismic activity.
