Residents of Tonosi, the Panama town closest to the epicenter of the earthquake that struck the country on Friday, spent a second day without running water or electricity as relentless aftershocks kept the community on edge and left dozens temporarily displaced.
After the earthquake, a park in the town, located away from the Pan-American Highway -- the main road crossing Panama, has become a makeshift camp, soup kitchen, and field clinic, where three healthcare workers churned out breakfast, lunch, and dinner for displaced residents.
"We are supporting the people of Tonosi. We have been cooking since yesterday, supporting the town, and the town is supporting us with food. It was horrible. It was a massive event for us and for the people of Tonosi," said Argelis Ortega, a healthcare worker.
The earthquake struck at 12:56 local time (17:56 GMT) on Friday, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) registering the magnitude at 7.7, while the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences put it at 7.5.
The tremor severely damaged key access roads to Tonosi, severing one with a landslide and leaving the other cracked and blocked by debris, forcing government officials to arrive by helicopter to assess the damage.
The disaster has triggered a spate of aftershocks, terrorizing residents who slept on mattresses and plastic chairs in the town square.
Cristal Reyes, a local resident, said she was too afraid to return home after her husband sent a video showing their house in ruins.
"Well, I haven't made it to my house yet. I haven't dared to. My husband went home, and he sent me a video -- everything is on the floor. I haven't even dared to go inside. I was at work, with my daughter and a nephew. When the earthquake struck, they headed right for the exit, and I went out right behind them. As soon as we got out, everything started moving and knocked us down. We were here in front of the hospital. Nurses and everyone else started rushing outside. Everyone ended up on the ground. That was something completely terrifying. We had never experienced anything like this," said Reyes.
Aftershocks continued throughout Saturday.
Panamanian authorities declared a national state of emergency after the earthquake and announced an initial fund of up to 100 million U.S. dollars for relief efforts.
According to the latest official figures, the earthquake injured 27 people -- none in critical condition -- damaged 419 schools, and affected 426 homes.
Panama earthquake leaves epicenter town without water or power amid relentless aftershocks
Panama earthquake leaves epicenter town without water or power amid relentless aftershocks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced support Monday for the "energy ceasefire" initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying that the proposal creates a viable path toward halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Trump announced an immediate "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday.
"Effective immediately," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that "both parties have agreed."
The declaration came just two days after Trump unveiled a diesel supply deal with Russia.
"If Russia does not agree to an energy ceasefire, we will respond," Zelensky said on Monday.
As part of a reciprocal exchange, Zelensky said, Ukraine would be willing to halt strikes on Russian diesel infrastructure if Ukrainian energy facilities receive security guarantees and are spared from Russian attacks.
On the same day, Ukraine's state-run energy company Naftogaz said that Russian forces launched a drone strike early Monday morning against natural gas production facilities in the Kharkiv region.
The airstrike damaged critical equipment, sparked a fire, and disrupted the normal operations of the facility. Emergency crews were dispatched to the site to carry out repairs, restore damaged systems, and handle the aftermath of the blaze, according to Naftogaz.
Russian authorities have not yet responded to the incident.
On Saturday, Trump said Russia was willing to reach a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine but accused Zelensky of resisting a negotiated settlement. He also called on Ukraine to hold an election and choose a new leader who could make a deal with Moscow.
In response to Trump's remarks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that it is vital for Moscow to see political will within the Kiev regime to accept reality and advance a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Zelensky responded on Sunday that he would call a vote if Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 60-day ceasefire, and that it was "up to Ukrainians" to choose their leader. Presidential elections, originally due in 2024, have been postponed under martial law.
The dispute over the ceasefire comes as rising energy prices have become a growing political concern for Trump ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
On Friday, Trump announced a deal with Putin under which Russia would supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. Trump described it as a necessary step to bring down soaring diesel prices, which he attributed largely to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelensky rejected the suggestion that he was responsible for rising energy prices, saying that "everybody in the world" knew that the war in the Middle East was a bigger factor.
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
Ukraine says it backs U.S. 'energy ceasefire' initiative
