Panama's government declared a state of emergency on Saturday after two powerful earthquakes and more than 100 aftershocks rattled the country for hours. The earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude, struck on Friday, causing buildings to topple and prompting evacuations.
Officials reported damages in all 10 of Panama’s provinces and two Indigenous territories, but no deaths were attributed to the quakes. The presidential minister, Juan Carlos Orillac, stated that homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, and hotels were among the damaged structures. Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of the National Civil Protection System, confirmed 27 people sustained minor to moderate injuries.
The US Department of State has mobilised a disaster response team to assist with search and rescue, and pledged $5 million in humanitarian aid. The US military's southern command delivered 2,000 pounds of food to affected areas using two helicopters.