Panama earthquake: tsunami threat issued for nine countries

A strong earthquake struck off the southern tip of Panama, and a US warning system issued a tsunami threat for a large part of Central America’s Pacific coast. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake’s focus lay at a depth of ten kilometres, about 12 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Pitalosa Arriba.

There were no immediate reports of damage from Panama, but television footage showed people running out of buildings. Eyewitnesses said the tremors were strongly felt in the capital, where many residents were frightened, as well as in San José, the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica.

The tsunami warning covers the coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The waves, it is noted, could reach the shore within the next three hours.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz