7.7-magnitude earthquake off Panama triggers tsunami warnings across the eastern Pacific

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 struck off Panama's southern coast, prompting tsunami warnings across the eastern Pacific.

• The US Geological Survey reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 for the quake off Panama's southern coast.
• Tsunami warnings were issued for the eastern Pacific, with waves of one to three meters possible along some Panamanian coasts.
• Buildings, schools and homes were evacuated across Panama, and residents gathered outside in Panama City.
• President José Raúl Mulino called for calm and ordered the government minister to release information on the quake's impact.
• The US Geological Survey initially estimated a magnitude of 8.0 before revising it down to 7.6.
• The epicenter lay 10 kilometers from Bitaloza Arriba at a depth of 12 kilometers, roughly 200 kilometers from Panama City.
• A US warning system said tsunami waves could reach eastern Pacific coasts from Mexico to Peru within three hours.
• A second earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck southern Panama on Friday, followed by dozens of aftershocks.
• President José Raúl Mulino declared a state of 'major catastrophe,' reporting no confirmed deaths or injuries as of Friday evening.
• Tsunami warnings were lifted for Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, while the Panama Canal said operations continued normally.