Panama City, 13 October (H.S.): Residents of Panama were jolted by another earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude on Sunday, just three days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country. The latest tremors were felt most strongly in the Soná district of Veraguas province, where frightened residents rushed out of their homes.

According to a report in the Spanish-language daily newspaper Crítica, tremors were felt in Panama on the afternoon of October 12, local time. Electricity supply was disrupted in Soná district following the earthquake. Another tremor measuring 6.4 magnitude struck at 6.20 pm, at a depth of two kilometres, with its epicentre located 29 kilometres northeast of Coiba Island in Panama.

The latest seismic activity occurred three days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Tonosí area of Los Santos province on Friday. According to India's National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the latest earthquake measured 6.1 magnitude. It occurred at 4.50 am and 37 seconds Indian Standard Time, at a depth of 10 kilometres. Details of damage caused by the latest earthquake were not immediately available.

The earthquake that struck the Tonosí area of Los Santos province on Friday had affected public transport and air services in Panama. As a precaution, services on the country's two metro lines were suspended, while the main international airport was temporarily closed.

The worst damage from the earlier earthquake was reported in Coclé province, located along the southern coast. Some damage was also reported in the capital, Panama City.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar