Major Earthquake hits Panama

After a severe earthquake struck Panama on Friday, rescue workers reminded the public to stay calm, keep away from objects that could fall or collapse, and pay attention to official information.

The powerful earthquake struck the country at 12:56 local time. It was initially reported as magnitude 7.6 before the United States Geological Survey  updated it to 7.7. By 17:00 local time, more than 20 aftershocks had been recorded in the country, about 16 of which exceeded magnitude five and another three reached magnitude six.

The earthquake damaged almost all the country’s potable water treatment plants, along with churches, hotels, businesses, public buildings and roads, but no fatalities have been reported so far.