Panama is still shaking days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday. More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded, and the government has declared a national state of emergency to speed up the response.
The quake hit the country’s central provinces and damaged hundreds of homes along with public infrastructure. Nobody has been reported dead. Emergency officials say at least 27 people were hurt and nearly 900 homes were damaged. They warn those numbers could climb as teams reach remote communities that have not yet been checked.
At least 14 bridges were damaged in the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos.
Money for relief
The state of emergency, announced over the weekend, lets the government spend up to $100 million on relief. According to Panama’s economy ministry, that spending can happen without breaking the country’s 2026 deficit target of 3.5% of GDP.
Aftershocks are easing
Reuters spoke with Nestor Luke, director of the University of Panama’s Institute of Geosciences. He said the aftershocks are still coming, but they are getting weaker and the gaps between them are growing longer.
Help from the United States
The U.S. has promised $5 million in aid. U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera said Washington is also sending a 20-member team to help with rescue work and to look over damaged infrastructure.
On the ground
President Jose Raul Mulino traveled to affected areas to hand out aid. He called for fast repairs to roads and bridges so that relief supplies can get through.
Schools across Panama closed on Monday. The Panama Canal, meanwhile, said its shipping operations have not been affected by the quake.
