The National Weather Service warned that a massive earthquake in Panama could generate “destructive” tsunamis along the West Coast of the United States on Friday.
The warning extended to California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, as well as Canada’s British Columbia, the NWS posted in an alert on X.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the earthquake struck near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama and had a 7.6 magnitude.
Tremors were felt in Panama City, the country’s largest city and capital.
Seismologist Jeffrey Park said on CNN the initial size and location is a “red flag for a tsunami warning.”
“If we’re not sure exactly what its earthquake source mechanism, what it’s faulting is like, but it has the possibility of leading to severe tsunami damage along the southern coastline of Panama,” he said.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.