Earthquake in Panama triggered 8,630 calls to 911

The helicopters of the National Aeronaval Service participate in the transport of patients, food, and supplies to the communities affected by the earthquake. Courtesy The earthquake that shook Panama on Friday, October 9, generated 8,630 calls to the Unified Prehospital Emergency Management System (SUME 911), while security agencies deployed personnel and resources to assist the affected communities. The emergency also left damage at more than 27 National Police stations, according to authorities. According to the Ministry of Public Security (Minseg), the Emergency Dispatch Center mobilized 178 resources and carried out 99 inter-institutional coordinations from the moment of the quake. The operations covered different regions of the country and were aimed at responding to requests for assistance and facilitating emergency care. The institution reminded that the 911 line must be used exclusively to report real emergencies, in order to avoid saturating the system and allow ambulances, medical personnel, and other teams to promptly attend to people who need help. The director of the National Police, Jaime Fernández, confirmed that more than 27 police facilities were affected by the earthquake. He explained that evaluations of the stations and checks on the condition of personnel are being carried out, without interrupting surveillance and citizen protection duties. Security agencies maintain assistance and surveillance operations while damage assessments continue in the affected provinces. Courtesy Fernández noted that police units were deployed throughout the national territory in a response operation. The institution maintains a presence in shopping centers, communities, and strategic points, while the National Directorate of Traffic Operations carries out road surveillance duties. During a tour of Santiago de Veraguas, the official explained that inspections would continue to Los Santos and Chitré, where coordinations would be carried out with local authorities. The goal is to verify the condition of police facilities and reinforce support for the affected populations. Regarding traffic, authorities reported 94 accidents registered after the earthquake. The National Directorate of Traffic Operations maintains prevention and surveillance devices on different roads, with the aim of reducing risks for drivers and pedestrians. For his part, the director of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), Luis Degracia, reported that he toured Tonosí, the Azuero Peninsula, and Santiago, accompanied by the director of the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), Omar Smith. Both officials assessed the needs of the communities and spoke with local authorities. The earthquake caused damage to at least 426 homes in Panama, mainly in the provinces of Herrera, Los Santos, and Coclé, where structural evaluations continue. (Photo AP/Aris Mariota) Degracia explained that the response began immediately after the earthquake, following instructions from the President of the Republic and the Minister of Public Security. During the visits, the teams transported canned food, water, and other essential items for the affected residents. Senan also established a humanitarian air bridge to the Azuero Peninsula, through which more than ten assists have been carried out, including aeromedical transfers of patients to hospital centers in La Villa de Los Santos, Santiago, and Panama City. As part of these operations, helicopters of the INL-SENAN Aviation Program took off for Las Tablas, in the province of Los Santos, with cargoes of food and supplies. The aircraft allow faster delivery of aid to communities that require attention. On the ground, the National Police maintains verification and monitoring operations in Veraguas and Los Santos, in coordination with civil protection agencies. In the district of Mariato, teams are working to facilitate the reopening of roads in Malena and Torio, affected by the consequences of the quake. More than 2,100 people were affected by the damage registered in 426 homes, according to the report presented by the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Planning. Video capture from Telemetro The National Border Service (Senafront) is also participating in the operations, with 400 personnel deployed in affected areas of Los Santos, Herrera, and Coclé. Its personnel carry out assistance and logistical support tasks to facilitate the arrival of resources to the communities. These actions are part of Plan Firmeza, through which the Ministry of Public Security coordinates the response of its various branches. The authorities keep medical care, supply transport, and security operations active, while evaluations of the damage caused by the earthquake continue. Both Degracia and Fernández asked the population to remain calm and follow the recommendations of the competent agencies. The officials indicated that tours and assistance work will continue as new needs are identified in the areas affected by the seismic event.