Rescuers urge calm, warn of falling objects after major earthquake hits Panama

After a severe earthquake struck Panama on Friday, rescue workers reminded the public to stay calm, keep away from objects that could fall or collapse, and pay attention to official information, the Spanish news agency EFE reported later that same day.

The powerful earthquake struck the country at 12:56 local time (17:56 GMT). It was initially reported as magnitude 7.6 before the United States Geological Survey (USGS) updated it to 7.7.

Separately, the University of Panama's Institute of Geoscience recorded a magnitude of 7.2, with a depth of four kilometers and an epicenter 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosi, a town in the southern province of Los Santos.

By 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT), more than 20 aftershocks had been recorded in the country, about 16 of which exceeded magnitude five and another three reached magnitude six.

The earthquake damaged almost all the country's potable water treatment plants, along with churches, hotels, businesses, public buildings and roads, but no fatalities have been reported so far, according to the Panamanian government's first official report.

In the capital, Panama City, EFE confirmed that the tremor was felt strongly and that numerous buildings in the city were evacuated as a precaution. Many people remained in the streets and open spaces for hours.

"Right now, an aftershock can be felt, something slight, which lasted about three to four seconds. Right now, here. Information (about aftershocks) is simply given to people so that they can be prudent, so that above all they stay calm," said a rescue worker.

He also urged the public to stay calm and keep up with official information about the earthquake.

"Well, the precautions that can be taken right now are to stay calm, move away from places where things can fall on you, whether objects, houses, buildings or something, illuminated signs that people sometimes pass by and even power poles. So stay calm. So keep an eye on the official social media accounts where the information is being shared, and well, keep paying attention there," he said.

The earthquake also triggered a brief tsunami alert in the Pacific, while the Panama Canal remained operational and Tocumen International Airport in the capital resumed flights after suspending services and evacuating people as a precaution.

Rescuers urge calm, warn of falling objects after major earthquake hits Panama

Rescuers urge calm, warn of falling objects after major earthquake hits Panama

China and Pakistan will hold their first joint army training in Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in mid-to-late October, China's Defense Ministry announced Saturday.

Defense Ministry Spokesman Chen Xi made the announcement at a press conference in Beijing.

"In mid-to-late October, the Chinese and Pakistani armies will conduct the 'Karakoram 2026' joint army training in Korla, Xinjiang. The exercise will focus on joint counter-terrorism and clearance operations in high-altitude areas. It will include mutual skills training in drone operations, on-the-move target search and firing, and long-distance sniping, as well as joint command and live troop drills," Chen said.

"This is the first joint army training between the two countries. It will help the two sides deepen exchanges and cooperation and enhance their ability to jointly respond to terrorist threats," he said.

China, Pakistan to hold first joint army drill in Xinjiang: defense ministry