Panama, Colombia: No major damage reported following magnitude 6.6 earthquake in the far southern Gulf of Darien at around 22:05 EST May 24 /update 2

Event

No major damage has been reported by authorities in either Colombia or Panama following a magnitude-6.6 earthquake that occurred in the Gulf of Darien late May 24. Residents of Capurgana in Colombia's Choco Department have reported the collapse of some walls in their homes and damage assessments are still being carried out in affected areas; however, as of early May 25, there have been no reports of significant destruction. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of a small possibility of tsunami waves along the coasts nearest the epicenter; however, authorities in Panama have since confirmed there is no tsunami threat to coastal areas.

The magnitude-6.6 earthquake occurred in the far southern Gulf of Darien near the Panama-Colombia border at around 22:05 EST May 24. The epicenter was about 42 km (26 miles) northeast of Puerto Obaldia, Panama. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and strong shaking was probably felt near the epicenter in far southern Guna Yala Province in Panama and far northern Antioquia and far northern Choco departments in Colombia. Moderate-to-light shaking was reportedly felt in other parts of northwestern Colombia, including parts of Antioquia, Choco, Crodoba, and Sucre, as well as parts of Darien, Guna Yala, Panama, and Panama Oeste provinces in Panama. The initial quake has been followed by several aftershocks, including at least five tremors between magnitude-4.4 and magnitude-4.9. Further aftershocks are likely over the coming hours and days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.