Panamá keeps shaking and has recorded at least 161 aftershocks following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake

The Azuero peninsula and its surroundings continue to register seismic movements after the earthquake that shook Panama on Friday, October 9. REUTERS/Enea LebrunAt least 161 seismic movements have been recorded in Azuero and nearby areas since the earthquake that shook Panama on Friday, October 9, according to an updated count of the records of the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama. Of the total, five reached magnitudes between 6.0 and 6.9, another 33 were between 5.0 and 5.9, while 105 were between 4.0 and 4.9 and 18 between 3.0 and 3.9. The main movement occurred at 12:56 p.m. on Friday, with an epicenter 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí, on the Azuero peninsula, and a depth of four kilometers. The succession of tremors has kept thousands of residents on alert, especially in Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas, where numerous families spent the night outside their homes for fear of new movements. Numerous families spent Friday night in yards and open spaces out of fear of new aftershocks from the earthquake. Video capture from TelemetroAmong the most intense subsequent events stood out a magnitude 6.9 earthquake recorded at 3:25 p.m. on Friday, in the vicinity of Coiba. Four other movements reached magnitudes above 6 during that day, while the aftershocks continued through Saturday, prolonging the uncertainty in the affected communities. The Institute of Geosciences record shows that seismic activity persisted during the morning and early afternoon of Saturday. Among the most recent movements are one of magnitude 4.6, at 2:24 p.m., northwest of Tonosí, and another of magnitude 4.2, at 2:44 p.m., south of Santiago. The authorities' assessment reports damage to homes, schools, hospitals, churches, roads and public buildings. The Government reported that 419 schools were affected, while emergency teams continue structural evaluations to determine which buildings can be used without posing risks to their occupants. The damage is concentrated mainly in Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and sectors of Coclé, including Penonomé. In various communities, images circulated on social media show cracked walls, collapsed roofs and partially collapsed structures, although there is still no definitive evaluation to establish the full extent of the damage. In the province of Herrera, the churches of Parita and Los Pozos are among the historic buildings affected. In Parita, the colonial temple lost part of its bell tower, while in Los Pozos the collapse of the tower and part of the main facade became one of the most representative images of the destruction caused by the earthquake. The churches of Parita, Penonomé, and Los Pozos are among the historic buildings that suffered damage during the earthquake. REUTERS/Enea LebrunThe situation also extends to hospitals and other healthcare facilities, where the movements forced preventive measures to be adopted and some services to be temporarily reorganized. In Aguadulce, province of Coclé, it was reported that several births were attended in improvised spaces, while health personnel sought to maintain patient care amid the emergency. In Veraguas, videos circulated on social media show considerable damage to cemeteries, where some niches were reportedly destroyed and left coffins exposed. The images reflect possible damage to funerary structures, although an official inspection is required to determine the number of damaged graves and the safety conditions of these sites. The earthquake also caused preventive interruptions in public services and facilities, while specialists reviewed possible structural damage. The authorities have insisted on the need to avoid entering buildings that show cracks, detachments or visible damage, until technical personnel determine whether they meet the necessary safety conditions. Given the magnitude of the emergency, the United States joined the support actions for Panama through coordination with the national authorities. Among the resources mobilized are transport aircraft to distribute humanitarian assistance, intended to support care efforts in the affected communities. The authorities continue inspecting homes and public buildings to determine whether the structures meet the necessary safety conditions. AFPThe U.S. support is being carried out in coordination with Panama's security and emergency authorities, while the participation of structural evaluation specialists is being considered. The assistance seeks to strengthen the response capacity to the damage, particularly in areas where access and inspections pose greater difficulties. During Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, numerous families remained in yards, streets and open spaces, using mattresses, blankets and tents to shelter themselves. The continuity of the movements prevented many residents from being able to sleep, while they remained attentive to the bulletins of the Institute of Geosciences and the recommendations of emergency agencies. More than a day after the earthquake, the main challenge continues to be determining the real magnitude of the damage and guaranteeing the safety of the population. As inspections advance in Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and Coclé, the persistence of the seismic movements maintains uncertainty among those who still do not know when they will be able to return to their homes with peace of mind.