Strong 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Panama, Tsunami Warning Issued

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck Panama, triggering tsunami warnings along the western coasts of Central and South America.

The USGS said the quake hit off Panama's southern coast, with the epicenter located near the southern tip of the Central American nation, about 14 kilometers southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba.

Witnesses told Reuters that aftershocks were clearly felt in the capital, Panama City. The Associated Press reported that buildings shook and alarmed residents gathered outdoors to await information about the earthquake's impact.

The USGS warned that dangerous waves could occur along the coasts of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.

Further details will be updated.