A devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the province of Chiriquí, leaving one person dead and more than one hundred injured. The epicenter, located very close to the city of David, caused the collapse of infrastructure and forced the Panamanian Government to declare an immediate state of emergency.

The tranquility of the western province of Chiriquí was abruptly broken on Tuesday at 6:36 AM. A magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook the region, generating panic among the population and large-scale material damage.

The epicenter of the quake was located just 13 kilometers from David, the most important urban center in the area, which intensified the impact on homes and public buildings.

Preliminary Balance of the Disaster:
Data Detail
Magnitude 7.5
Epicenter 13 km from David, Chiriquí
Victims 1 deceased / +100 injured
Time of event 06:36 AM (local time)

The impact was not only measured in human figures. The seismic movement caused the collapse of various structures and left thousands of people without essential basic services. Among the immediate consequences are:

  • Massive power outages throughout the province.
  • Interruptions in the supply of drinking water.
  • Mass evacuations toward safe zones due to the risk of landslides.
  • Severe structural damage in homes and buildings.

Given the gravity of the situation, the government of Panama has taken drastic measures, declaring a state of emergency in Chiriquí. Likewise, a formal request for international aid has been issued to coordinate rescue efforts and carry out a technical assessment of the damages.

While humanitarian organizations deploy assistance and psychological support operations, authorities keep security protocols on alert due to the persistent threat of aftershocks that could compromise already weakened structures.

Source: IMAGO