Two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rock Panama

A second powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck Panama afternoon following a series of aftershocks, the US Geological Survey said. It came after a magnitude 7.7 quake shook the Central American country, collapsing buildings near its epicenter and prompting evacuations. A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake shook Panama on Friday morning, collapsing buildings near its epicenter and prompting evacuations across the country. The quake, which was felt as far away as neighboring Colombia, was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, in the central province of Herrera, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). The USGS initially reported the quake as magnitude 8, then revised it to 7.6 and later to 7.7.

Visibly shaken residents of Panama City gathered outside as they waited for news of the quake's impact on Friday.

“We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we're okay, though we're very scared,” Rosendo Dominguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, where the earthquake struck, told The Associated Press by phone. “Everyone is outside, scared.” Multiple aftershocks continued to rattle Panama, including several measuring magnitude 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2. Seismologists at the University of Panama recorded more than 45 aftershocks, though many were too weak to be felt.