Panama earthquake: Videos show people fleeing as buildings shake; resident says 'everyone is scared'

Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and residents rushed outside for safety. A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, shaking buildings in the capital and prompting people to evacuate into the streets, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).People evacuated from a building gather at a square after a severe earthquake hit the country, in Panama City. (AFP)The quake was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community near Panama’s southern coast. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), the USGS said.Videos show people fleeing as buildings shakeTremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook and residents rushed outside for safety. Videos circulating online showed people gathering in the streets, visibly shaken by the powerful earthquake.“We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared," Rosendo Domínguez, 60, who is from Herrera province, where the earthquake struck, told The Associated Press by phone. “Everyone is outside, scared.”Tsunami warning issued after Panama earthquakeThe National Weather Service issued a tsunami warning on Friday for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala following the earthquake.Local media reported that the tremors were also felt in parts of neighboring Colombia.Panama’s Civil Protection agency said it was assessing possible damage in areas near the epicenter. Further details on the impact of the earthquake were not immediately available.Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read MoreColombiaEcuadorTsunami WarningEarthquakeGet the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.