Panama City's Tocumen airport halts flights after major earthquake

Tocumen International Airport in Panama City suspended flight operations on Friday afternoon after a severe earthquake, its operator said. Passengers and staff were evacuated as a precaution under the safety protocols in force. The quake struck shortly after midday. The University of Panama initially reported a magnitude of 7.0, while the US geological survey put it at 7.6. The two figures differ.

Flights will resume only once the safety of the airport's facilities has been checked, with particular attention to the control tower, according to the operator. No date or time for reopening has been set. The airport handles international traffic for the Panamanian capital. The statement did not say how many flights were affected or how long the inspection is expected to take.