A magnitude 7.7 earthquake shook central Panama on Friday; no deaths are reported, and the government has declared a state of emergency

Status

Partially confirmed. The earthquake's size, time, place and the damage alerts come from the U.S. Geological Survey, read on usgs.gov. Injury and damage counts and the state of emergency come from news organizations quoting Panamanian officials; this desk could not open the bulletins of Panama's civil protection agency itself. The File is adding this two days late: the quake struck after Friday's Safety check, and this desk does not run on Saturdays.

• Confirmed

  The U.S. Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.7. It struck at 12:56 p.m. local time (1:56 p.m. Eastern) on Oct. 9, about 12 kilometers deep, 12 kilometers west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba on the Azuero Peninsula.

• Confirmed

  The survey's automatic loss estimate (PAGER) issued a red alert for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable and the disaster is likely widespread, with estimated losses of 1% to 20% of Panama's economic output. It issued a yellow alert for deaths: some casualties are possible.

• Confirmed

  Strong aftershocks followed, including magnitude 6.6 and 5.8 quakes on Friday and a magnitude 6.0 early Saturday, all in Panama (U.S. Geological Survey).

• Partially confirmed

  Malitzie Rivera, deputy director of Panama's National Civil Protection System, said no deaths had been reported and 27 people were hurt, with minor to moderate injuries (La Estrella de Panamá; The Guardian).

• Partially confirmed

  More than 426 homes were damaged, from light damage to total loss, with Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas provinces hardest hit; about 300 people were evacuated from Isla Cañas after the water rose (La Estrella de Panamá, quoting Rivera).

• Partially confirmed

  Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac announced a state of emergency on Saturday and said homes, schools, health centers, roads and hotels were damaged (The Guardian).