UPDATE, OCTOBER 10: Panama’s government declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes and more than 100 aftershocks damaged homes, schools, health facilities, roads and bridges across the country.

The government said its emergency declaration is intended to prioritize help for affected families. A preliminary official assessment listed 426 residences evaluated, 419 schools and 21 health facilities affected, along with nine vehicle bridges with structural damage.

Panama’s presidency said 21 people had received treatment for injuries. The Associated Press separately reported that civil-protection officials counted 27 people with minor to moderate injuries. Officials had not attributed any deaths to the earthquakes.

Damage reported nationwide

AP reported damage in all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories. The heaviest damage was concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos, where homes and a historic church collapsed and some communities were cut off by landslides and road damage.

Panama’s government said crews were reopening roads to carry food and other essentials to communities in the Azuero Peninsula and Veraguas. Authorities established a donation centre in Panama City and said provincial governments would also collect supplies.

More than 100 aftershocks follow two major quakes

The first earthquake struck at 1:56 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 7.7, with a shallow epicentre near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province. A magnitude-6.6 earthquake followed near Río Grande roughly two and a half hours later.

Seismologists recorded more than 100 aftershocks, including tremors measured at magnitude 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2, AP reported. About 300 people were evacuated from Isla Caña because of rising sea levels and rough surf, while some residents spent the night outdoors because their homes were damaged.

Canada warns aftershocks may disrupt essential services

Global Affairs Canada’s Panama travel advice says the October 9 earthquake damaged infrastructure and warns that aftershocks may cause further damage. Airport operations, transportation, power, water, telecommunications, emergency services and medical care could be disrupted.

Canada advises travellers in affected areas to follow local instructions, monitor local media and stay out of weakened or damaged structures until authorities deem them safe.

Sources: Presidency of Panama, October 10; The Associated Press, updated October 10; U.S. Geological Survey magnitude-7.7 event record; U.S. Geological Survey magnitude-6.6 event record; Government of Canada travel advice.

Lead image: flag of Panama via Wikimedia Commons, public domain; not a photograph of the earthquakes or damage.