Magnitude 5.3 quake rattles Panama; no damage reported

PANAMA CITY – Panama has been rattled by a moderate magnitude 5.3 earthquake, but officials say there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey says Wednesday evening’s quake was centred about 127 miles (204 kilometres) southwest of Panama City.

The head of Panama’s civil defence office has issued a “call for calm” on his Twitter account.

Civil defence chief Jose Donderis writes that “the preliminary report indicates no damages have been reported” and says that evaluations are continuing in the area near the epicenter.