Strong Panama quake damages buildings, disrupts power and air travel

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, damaging homes, cutting power, halting flights and sending residents into the streets, while triggering more than a dozen aftershocks.



The US Geological Survey said the earthquake struck at a depth of 12.6 km (7.8 miles) and that some casualties were possible.



Television images showed elderly residents in tears in the streets as a series of weaker aftershocks rattled the country.



The Panama Canal, about 126 miles (203 km) from the epicenter, was operating normally.



Major earthquakes are rare in Panama.