A very strong earthquake hit Panama on Friday. The earthquake was measured at magnitude 7.7 and happened near the southern coast of Panama. People in Panama City, the capital, and in nearby countries like Costa Rica and Colombia, felt the shaking. Many people ran outside because they were scared. Some buildings and roads were damaged near where the earthquake started.

The earthquake happened because of movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates. These are large pieces of rock under the ground. Sometimes, these plates move suddenly and make the ground shake. This movement caused the earthquake in Panama.

After the earthquake, emergency teams started to check damaged buildings and roads. Transport services in some areas stopped for safety. People were told to stay away from unsafe buildings. The Panama Canal, which is an important waterway for ships, stayed open, but workers checked it carefully for any problems. Rescue teams continued to look for people and help those affected.