A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near Río Grande, Panama on Monday at 7:20 p.m. EDT, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, rattling central provinces still recovering from Friday's much larger 7.7-magnitude quake.
The USGS placed the epicentre about 18 kilometres west of Río Grande at a shallow depth of roughly 10 kilometres, coordinates 7.70, -81.50. Its PAGER system issued a green alert, and dozens of felt reports came in from communities including Santiago, where shaking was reported as moderate. Smaller aftershocks, including events of magnitude 4.5 and 4.8 in the same area, were recorded through the evening.
Panama has recorded more than 300 aftershocks since Friday's mainshock, which injured at least 27 people, damaged nearly 900 homes and prompted the government to declare a national state of emergency. No deaths were reported from the mainshock, and no casualty or damage figures had been released for Monday's 6.1 event as assessments continued.
Emergency authorities have warned the toll from Friday's quake could rise as crews reach remote communities in the hardest-hit provinces of Los Santos, Coclé, Veraguas and Herrera. The government has allocated up to $100 million for relief, and the United States has pledged $5 million in assistance.
