World·Americas
Panama declares state of emergency after 7.7 and 6.6 quakes; no deaths reported, U.S. pledges $5 million
Panama's government declared a state of emergency Saturday after Friday's magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 earthquakes and more than 100 aftershocks, with officials attributing no deaths but reporting damage in all 10 provinces and 27 people injured. Civil Protection tallied roughly 420 damaged homes and about as many schools, and the Panama Canal Authority said canal operations were continuing normally. The State Department mobilized a disaster response team and pledged $5 million in humanitarian aid, and U.S. Southern Command helicopters delivered 2,000 pounds of food.
Sources
- AP via Boston GlobePanama declares a state of emergency as powerful quake aftershocks rattle communities