Engineers in Panama call for building inspections after earthquake and warn about non-visible damage

The Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects recommended inspecting buildings and horizontal properties after the earthquake, even when no visible damage is present. EFE/ Bienvenido Velasco The Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects (SPIA) recommended conducting technical inspections of buildings and other structures after the earthquake that shook Panama on Friday, October 9. The professional association warned that the evaluations must be carried out by qualified professionals, even when the structures show no visible damage, due to the risks associated with seismic movements and their aftershocks. In a statement, the organization noted that the review of buildings must be carried out in accordance with the Panamanian Structural Regulation 2021 (REP-2021), approved by the Technical Board of Engineering and Architecture. This regulation establishes technical criteria for the design and evaluation of structures, so its application is essential for determining safety conditions after an event of this magnitude. Cracks, detachments, and tilting in columns, beams, and walls are among the warning signs that engineering professionals must assess after an earthquake. ArchiveThe SPIA recommended that administrators of horizontal properties, boards of directors, and owners hire qualified professionals to carry out comprehensive reviews, even when no cracks or detachments are observed. The inspections must consider structural and non-structural elements, including facades, stairs, joints, tanks, and installations, with documented results that allow the identification of possible risks. The association also asked for special attention to be paid to old buildings, high-rise constructions, and structures showing visible damage. Among the warning signs, it mentioned cracks, detachments, tilting, and deterioration in columns, beams, walls, stairs, or slabs — conditions under which occupants must evacuate and avoid returning until a professional evaluation is obtained. The organization explained that the absence of apparent damage does not replace a technical inspection, particularly after an earthquake followed by numerous aftershocks. For this reason, it urged its member professionals to collaborate in a coordinated manner with the authorities in the evaluations and repairs, prioritizing requests related to potentially compromised buildings. The Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects recommended paying special attention to old buildings, high-rise constructions, and properties with visible damage, prioritizing technical inspections to determine their safety conditions after the earthquake. EFE/ Bienvenido Velasco The recommendations come after the earthquake recorded at 12:56 p.m. on Friday, with its epicenter in the Azuero region, which caused damage in several provinces. The Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama updated the magnitude of the event to 7.5, while the subsequent movements kept numerous residents out of their homes overnight. According to the second report of the National Civil Protection System, 188 schools registered damage across the country, along with damage to homes, hospitals, churches, government buildings, roads, and bridges. The provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas, and Coclé concentrated numerous incidents, while inspections continued to determine the extent of the deterioration. The infrastructure review also reached the Bridge of the Americas and Centenario Bridge, two fundamental connections between the capital and Panama West. The Minister of Public Works, José Luis Andrade, stated that the initial evaluations did not identify structural damage that would justify closing either route, so they remained open to vehicular traffic. The Minister of Public Works, José Luis Andrade, confirmed that the initial inspections found no issues that would compromise traffic on the main bridges over the Panama Canal. (Banco General Panamá)Andrade denied the reports circulating about an alleged preventive closure or collapse of these structures after the earthquake. The Ministry of Public Works is also maintaining evaluations of roads and bridges in other provinces, especially in Mariato, Veraguas, and Tonosí, Los Santos, where damage was recorded that made it difficult to travel to several communities. The head of Public Works also confirmed that the work on the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal was not affected by the seismic movement. The continuation of inspections is especially important in the central provinces, where several bridges and stretches of road show damage and some communities remain cut off. The SPIA recalled that, during aftershocks, people must protect themselves under sturdy furniture, stay away from windows and facades, and evacuate in an orderly manner when the movement ends. It also recommended avoiding the use of switches in case of possible gas leaks or electrical damage, and reporting any risk situation to the authorities. The association reiterated that professional evaluation is an essential measure to reduce risks and determine whether a building can be safely occupied. While official inspections continue, the responsibility of owners and administrators includes verifying the conditions of their properties, especially those subjected to intense movements or showing signs of deterioration.