By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked Panama on Friday, triggering a series of aftershocks, damaging buildings and roads, and forcing people to flee offices and homes. No deaths had been reported in initial assessments, although injuries were reported and damage surveys were continuing.
According to USGS, the epicentre of the earthquake was Pitaloza Arriba in Panama located in central America with a depth of 12.6 km. The earthquake struck at 12.56 pm local time. A second powerful tremor, measuring 6.6, was also reported, followed by dozens of aftershocks. More than 80 aftershocks had been recorded by Saturday morning, including one exceeding magnitude 6.
The central provinces of Herrera, Coclé, Veraguas and Los Santos were among the worst affected. Buildings suffered structural damage, sections of roads collapsed and a hotel and church were reported damaged. The historic Church of San Atanasio in Los Santos province was reported to have collapsed, while damage was also reported to public buildings in Penonomé.
Several people were injured, including individuals trapped in damaged structures. Reports on the number of injured varied as emergency teams continued assessing the situation.
The shaking was felt across the country, including Panama City, where office workers and residents rushed out of high-rise buildings. A tsunami warning was issued after the earthquake but was subsequently lifted.
Flights at Tocumen International Airport were temporarily suspended before operations resumed. Electricity outages were reported in several provinces, while schools nationwide suspended classes as a precaution. The Panama Canal, however, continued operating normally.
President José Raúl Mulino visited affected areas and called for calm as authorities coordinated the emergency response.
The earthquake was linked to seismic activity associated with the Azuero-Soná fault system. Authorities continued to assess damaged structures and monitor aftershocks, urging residents to remain cautious.