6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Panama

Panama was shaken by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, closely following a more powerful 7.7 quake that had already wreaked havoc.An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Panama on Monday evening local time, days after a powerful earthquake hit the country and triggered a series of aftershocks.According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the tremor was recorded at 4:50:37 am IST on Tuesday at a depth of 10 km. The epicentre was located at latitude 7.683 degrees north and longitude 81.405 degrees west, the NCS said in a post on X.Panama had earlier witnessed a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Friday, followed by 147 aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6. René García, director of the Emergency Operations Centre, told CNN.The powerful earthquake damaged homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads and public buildings across several parts of Panama, according to Xinhua. The government declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief operations and support affected communities.Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said during a press conference at the presidential palace that the declaration would ensure government agencies had the resources required to assist affected communities, Xinhua reported. President Jose Raul Mulino also ordered the formation of a commission to coordinate relief operations and manage resources.According to CNN, citing the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earlier earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.7. Panama's civil protection system reported structural damage to homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches. The most significant damage was reported in Coclé province, with some damage also recorded in Panama City.Panama's public transit system suspended services on two metro lines, while the country's main international airport was temporarily closed as a precaution before operations resumed later in the day, CNN reported. President Mulino visited an affected hospital in Penonomé, where patients were evacuated and treated outdoors.The US Embassy in Panama had also warned of possible aftershocks and potential tsunami threats across nine countries in Central and South America. The US Tsunami Warning System subsequently said there was no longer a tsunami threat, CNN reported.Earlier, External affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed solidarity with Panama following the October 9 earthquake. In a post on X, he said India's thoughts and prayers were with those injured and affected, particularly families who had suffered loss and hardship.The ministry of external affairs also conveyed India's solidarity with the government and people of Panama following the earthquake.