The shallow quake, felt across the nation of roughly 4.5 million people, lasted about a minute, according to the National Civil Protection System. Panic erupted in Panama City, some 200 kilometers from the epicenter, as residents fled the capital's skyscrapers. "I was scared because the shaking was very strong and prolonged. Heavy objects like dressers, the bed, and all the kitchen items were shaking," Salomon Andion, 46, told AFP after evacuating his 15-story building twice amid aftershocks. Viral video showed water cascading from the rooftop pool of a high-rise, while another clip captured a bridge over the Panama Canal shaking violently but holding as vehicles crossed. "We are facing a major disaster," President Jose Raul Mulino said, noting some roads had "completely collapsed." The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at 1756 GMT, centered 10 kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba in central Herrera province. It was initially estimated at magnitude 8.0 before being revised to 7.7. A tsunami warning for the eastern Pacific was later lifted, and the Panama Canal Authority reported shipping was operating normally. Mulino traveled to Penonome to coordinate the response. Health Minister Fernando Boyd said Herrera, Cocle and Los Santos were hardest hit, with Tonosi completely cut off. "We are trying to figure out how to get there by air, because it's impossible by land," he said. Panama City's international airport temporarily closed, diverting several flights.  More than 80 aftershocks followed, one exceeding magnitude 6.0. The education ministry suspended classes nationwide, and Mulino urged calm, warning against using the disaster "to generate alarms and disorder." Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala offered solidarity and aid. Earthquakes are rare in Panama, typically occurring in western Chiriqui province near Costa Rica. This marked at least Latin America's fourth quake above magnitude 7.0 this year. (Bssnews)