Panama records further tremors after powerful earthquake

Panama recorded further tremors on Friday evening after the powerful earthquake that struck earlier in the day.

The country’s Institute of Geosciences listed a magnitude-5.0 tremor at 20:35 local time, equivalent to 03:35 SAST on Saturday, 10 October. Its reviewed catalogue placed the event 32 kilometres south of Soná, at a depth of 11 kilometres.

The US Geological Survey recorded an event at the same time as magnitude 4.6, placing it 10 kilometres south of Río Grande. The agencies’ measurements and locations differ.

The USGS also listed magnitude-4.7 tremors at 03:11 and 01:57 SAST. The earlier main earthquake struck at 12:56 local time on Friday, or 19:56 SAST. The USGS gives that earthquake a magnitude of 7.7.

Tocumen resumed flights after inspections

Earlier on Friday, Tocumen International Airport said it had resumed operations following a temporary suspension, according to an airport statement reported by EFE.

The airport said checks of its runways, taxiways, facilities and control tower found no damage that prevented operations from restarting.

EFE also reported that some buildings in Panama City’s former banking district had been evacuated as a precaution after the earlier earthquake.