Magnitude 8 earthquake strikes off Panama’s southern coast, tsunami warning issued

A strong earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast on Friday, with tremors felt in the capital, Panama City.The US Geological Survey recorded the quake at magnitude 7.6. It was centred about 10 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama’s southern tip, at a depth of 10 kilometres.The US Tsunami Warning System warned that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within three hours along some coasts of Panama and Colombia.There were no immediate reports of damage in Panama, while television footage showed people evacuating buildings.