Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes off Panama, tsunami threat issued across Central America

A strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck near the southern coast of Panama on Friday, October 9, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), The Jerusalem Post reports, citing Reuters. The quake was felt in Panama City, the capital, as well as in the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, according to Reuters witnesses.

The US Tsunami Warning System showed potential tsunami threats along much of Central America’s Pacific coast within the next three hours. The threat also extends to Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, the system said.

The US Tsunami Warning System also said there was a tsunami threat to Hawaii. No immediate reports of damage came in Panama on Friday, while television footage showed people evacuating buildings. The USGS initially estimated the earthquake at magnitude 8.0 before downgrading its estimate to magnitude 7.6, the agency said. The Jerusalem Post described the report as a developing story, citing Reuters.