Authorities are continuing damage assessments in all 14 districts of Chiriquí province following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck last Friday. So far, 55 homes have been affected, 17 of which are uninhabitable due to structural damage. The Emergency Operations Center (COE), located in David, remains active with representatives from various security and response institutions, while inspections continue to determine the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
Earthquake in Chiriquí: San Félix, Tolé and Other Districts Report Damage.
Among the districts reporting damage to homes are San Félix, Tolé, Renacimiento and Alanje, in addition to other areas of the province where authorities are continuing their inspections. Response teams continue to gather information on the affected structures to determine which ones pose risks and require additional safety measures.
Aqueducts and Water Treatment Plants are Affected.
The report also includes damage to infrastructure related to the supply of drinking water. In the Santa Marta sector, cracks were reported in a water treatment plant, while in San Isidro, in the Bugaba area, cracks were also identified in part of the structure of another facility. Additionally, a water tank belonging to the rural aqueduct of San Martín de Alanje, in the Quinta Barriada area, was reported to have fallen. These damages are part of the inspections carried out to determine the condition of the infrastructure and its operation after the earthquake.
Health Centers Show Structural Damage.
In terms of health, the preliminary report indicates that three health centers in the district of Tolé, specifically in Cerro Viejo, were taken out of operation after suffering structural damage. Cracks were also identified in the walls of the Divalá polyclinic in the Alanje district, and in the San Félix Hospital, which provides care to communities in eastern Chiriquí. At this last hospital, during the first hours after the earthquake, some patients were treated outside the building while safety assessments were carried out. Meanwhile, in the Ngäbe-Buglé region, no new developments were reported during the most recent checks, according to the released report.
Three Schools Report Damage.
The inspections also cover school infrastructure. In the district of Tolé, specifically in Guabino, a school was reported with severe structural damage. In total, three educational centers present some type of damage or structural collapse, while other facilities continue under evaluation. The resumption of classes will depend on the corresponding verifications and the provisions adopted by the Ministry of Education (Meduca), based on the safety conditions of each school.
The COE Remains Active while Assessments Continue.
Authorities are keeping the Emergency Operations Center active in David to coordinate response actions and address any eventuality related to the earthquake. Assessments will continue in the various districts of Chiriquí with the aim of identifying new damage, determining the condition of structures, and establishing the necessary measures to protect the population.
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