7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama, tsunami alert later canceled

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Panama's southern coast Friday at 1:56 p.m. ET, about 6 miles deep near Pitaloza Arriba, shaking Panama City and San José, Costa Rica. The USGS initially estimated it at 8.0 before revising to 7.7. A 5.5 magnitude aftershock followed. Tsunami warnings were issued for Panama, Ecuador and other coastal countries, then later canceled. Buildings were damaged and residents evacuated; the Panama Canal continued normal operations.