Magnitude 6.6 earthquake shakes Panama-Colombia border
(Reuters) -A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck in the Gulf of Darien near the border of Panama and Colombia late on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, with tremors felt across both countries.
Nine minutes later, the USGS reported a 4.9 magnitude aftershock at the exact location.
In Panama, civil protection agency Sinaproc said there had been no immediate reports of damages and they were monitoring the situation.
An earthquake of 6.6 magnitude struck in the Gulf of Darien near the border of Panama and Colombia late on Wednesday night, May 24, at 10:05 pm local time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Quoting the USGS, Reuters reported that the tremors were felt in both countries.
A second earthquake strikes
Nine minutes after the first earthquake hit the region, another temblor with a 4.9 magnitude on the Richter Scale struck the same location. The USGS reported about the aftershocks of the second earthquake.
Several follow-up quakes measuring less than 4 in magnitude have been reported since last night.
As reported by the USGS, the earthquake’s epicenter was around 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the coast of Panama’s eastern town of Puerto Obaldia and both quakes struck at a depth of 10km (6.21 miles).
No immediate reports of damages
The National Civil Protection Agency of Panama, Sinaproc said no immediate property damage was reported, and they are still monitoring the situation. Officials from the Columbian metropolis of Medellin also said the earthquake did not cause any damage. However, social media users have reported about the earthquake stating it triggered strong shaking on both sides of the border.
