Panama Rocked by 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake, Broadcasters Flee Live On Air

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, causing significant damage to buildings and roads, and prompting emergency responses across the country. The tremors, felt widely across the Central American nation, led to the temporary closure of Panama City's international airport and the suspension of classes nationwide.

The earthquake, initially estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey at magnitude 8.0 before being revised to 7.7, hit the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in the central Herrera province with a depth of 10 kilometers. The quake triggered more than 80 aftershocks, including one above magnitude 6.0.

In a dramatic moment captured on live television, sports broadcasters in a studio were seen abandoning their microphones and fleeing for safety as the building violently shook. They appeared puzzled initially, but as the shaking intensified, they quickly evacuated the studio.

President Jose Raul Mulino declared it a "major disaster," stating that some roads had "completely collapsed." The provinces of Herrera, Cocle, and Los Santos were reported as the most affected areas. In Penonome, a city in the Cocle province, a church and a hotel suffered extensive damage, and cars were trapped beneath rubble. The St John the Baptist Cathedral in Penonome was also severely damaged.

Authorities reported at least two injuries resulting from people trapped in collapsed structures. The town of Tonosi in Los Santos province was completely cut off, with officials exploring air access due to impassable land routes. One building in Penonome reportedly collapsed on one side, burying vehicles.

The U.S. Secretary of State's office stated it was closely monitoring the situation and mobilizing resources to assist Panama. The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that shipping operations through the canal remained unaffected. Neighboring countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala, offered messages of solidarity and aid.

Earthquakes of this magnitude are rare in Panama, with seismic activity more commonly occurring in the western Chiriqui province. The incident marks the fourth earthquake exceeding magnitude 7.0 in Latin America this year, following significant seismic events in Venezuela and Colombia.