State of Emergency Declared After 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake in Panama.

The Cabinet Council approved the declaration of a state of emergency to address the damage caused by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Panama on Friday, October 9, reported the Minister of Government, Juan Carlos Orillac.  The measure seeks to coordinate assistance to affected communities and address damage to homes, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure. 

The formation of a commission to organize humanitarian aid and coordinate the repair and reconstruction of the affected structures was also announced.  Orillac explained that the Ministry of Government, the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) and other agencies remain deployed in the affected areas to receive requests for assistance and coordinate the institutional response. 

Sinaproc’s Deputy Director General, Malitzie Rivera, reported that, as of the time of Saturday’s press conference, no fatalities had been reported.  However, around 27 people had been injured, with minor to moderate injuries, and were taken to medical centers for treatment. 

The report also listed 21 affected healthcare facilities. According to Rivera, engineers, architects, and structural specialists were already working on assessing these facilities to determine the necessary measures and facilitate a response to the communities. 

The provinces of Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas are among the areas where the highest number of affected homes have been recorded, according to the Sinaproc report.  In Veraguas, the situation also affected island areas.

On Cañas Island, the rising water level forced the evacuation of some 300 people, who, according to authorities, were under shelter at the time of the press conference.  Sinaproc indicated that these communities were receiving humanitarian assistance, medicines, and other supplies needed to care for the evacuated population.  Damage was also reported in the provinces of Panama, Chiriquí, and Bocas del Toro, as well as in the Ngäbe-Buglé and Emberá indigenous territories.

In these areas, damage was identified in schools and some homes.  Regarding housing, Sinaproc had assessed more than 426 residences with varying degrees of damage, from minor damage to cases of total destruction. 

From the first hours after the earthquake, response institutions had begun the transfer and distribution of water, food and basic necessities to assist the affected communities.  In addition to material assistance, authorities reported that they were coordinating psychological support for those affected and specific care for the population with disabilities. 

The Minister of Education, Ventura Vega, reported that around 419 educational centers had been reported with damage after the earthquake.  The official explained that the decision to suspend classes nationwide, adopted on Friday, responded to the need to protect students, teachers, parents, and administrative staff while the situation was being evaluated. 

He explained that a decision would have to be made regarding whether classes would resume nationwide or if the suspension would remain in place in specific regions. Vega indicated that the decision would be evaluated by Monday and that the announcement would be made between Saturday and early Sunday morning. 

The Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, reported that eight helicopters and four aircraft were made available to facilitate the transfer of specialized personnel and humanitarian aid to the affected areas. 

The Single Emergency Management System (SUME) reinforced care at the hospitals in Penonomé and Aguadulce with 15 paramedics and emergency medical technicians, according to the official report.  Nearly 400 agents from the National Border Service (Senafront), equipped for these tasks, were deployed to Penonomé to support the response efforts and reinforce the assistance in that city.  More news on the subject as it becomes available.  Stay tuned to NewsroomPanama.com