Panama Declares State of Emergency Following Earthquakes; Dozens Injured

The government of Panama has declared a state of emergency following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country, news outlet Walla and Colombian newspaper El Tiempo reported. According to local authorities, at least 27 people were injured, but no fatalities have been reported so far.

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial tremors, the strongest reaching a magnitude of 5.8, The Jerusalem Post also noted. Damage spread across all ten provinces: hundreds of homes and schools were damaged alongside nine bridges and public buildings, while about 300 residents were evacuated from a Pacific island due to rising sea levels.

In areas near the epicenter, residents have been left without electricity or running water and forced to sleep outdoors. Further details regarding the extent of recovery efforts have not yet been released.