New Delhi [India], October 11 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed solidarity with the government and people of Panama following an earthquake on October 9, extending prayers to those injured and affected by the disaster.

In a post shared on X, Jaishankar said, "India stands with the Government and people of Panama following the earthquake. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and affected, especially the families who have suffered loss and hardship."

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2108962047333372296

The Ministry of External Affairs also stated, "India conveys solidarity with the Government and people of Panama, following the earthquake."

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/2108972201852670170

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck off Panama on Friday night. The US Embassy in Panama warned of possible aftershocks and potential tsunami threats across nine countries in Central and South America.

Meanwhile, Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday (local time) to coordinate relief efforts and assist communities affected by the earthquake, Xinhua reported.

Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac, while addressing a press conference at the presidential palace, said the declaration would ensure that government agencies remained on standby and had the resources required to help affected communities, as reported by Xinhua.

Orillac said President Jose Raul Mulino had ordered the formation of a commission to coordinate relief operations, manage resources and address the needs of affected communities. The government has also established donation collection centres, including one at Omar Park in Panama City, while provincial government offices will serve as additional collection points.

The earthquake struck at 12:56 pm local time on Friday, with its epicentre about 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province, according to Xinhua. The quake damaged homes, schools, health facilities, roads and public buildings across several parts of the country, it added.

CNN, citing the US Geological Survey (USGS), reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.7. The report said several people had suffered minor injuries, with no fatalities or missing persons reported at the time. Homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches sustained structural damage, according to Panama's civil protection system, CNN reported.

The earthquake was followed by 147 aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6, Rene Garcia, director of the Emergency Operations Centre, told CNN, as reported by CNN. 

The most significant damage was reported in Cocle province on the southern coast, with some damage in Panama City, it said.

Panama's public transit system had suspended services on two metro lines, while the country's main international airport was temporarily closed as a precaution before operations resumed later in the day, CNN reported, quoting the civil aviation authority as saying.

President Mulino called for calm, mobilised resources and visited an affected hospital in Penonome, where patients were evacuated and treated outdoors, CNN reported.

The US Tsunami Warning System had earlier warned of possible tsunami waves along some coasts before saying there was no longer a threat, it added.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was closely monitoring reports of the earthquake and stood with the people of Panama.

In a post on X, Rubio said the US State Department was rapidly mobilising resources and personnel to assist at the request of the Panamanian government. He also shared consular hotline details for American citizens affected by the earthquake.

https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2108677766010843550

'I am closely monitoring reports of the earthquake in southern Panama. The United States stands with the people of Panama. At the request of the Panamanian government, the State Department is rapidly mobilising resources and personnel to assist. Our consular affairs hotline is available 24/7 for affected Americans in need of support at +1-202-501-4444 from abroad and +1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada,' the post read. (ANI)