The Social Security Fund of Panama has reported the death of a 68-year-old woman who had been seriously injured during the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that shook the center and south of the country last Friday, October 9, becoming the first official fatality associated with this earthquake.
In a note disseminated to the media, the public entity specified that the patient's death --identified as Elena Barría-- was certified at 15:42 hours (local time). "We extend our most sincere condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones at this time of sorrow," the statement reads, in which the authorities also highlight "the strength and fortitude" demonstrated by the woman and her surroundings throughout the medical treatment, and reiterate their commitment to providing healthcare "with humanity, respect, and dedication."
The Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, has stated on his social media that the victim "had a pre-existing condition of limb amputation due to severe diabetes." Likewise, the head of state indicated that "the traumas suffered, combined with the previous illness," prevented her recovery.
This first death is known days after the Panamanian Executive communicated an initial balance with no deaths, in which only "some injured" had been reported. The authorities had then emphasized the absence of fatalities despite the intensity of the tremor.
The violent earthquake, with its epicenter located 14 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba (to the west of Tonosí, in the province of Los Santos), has been followed by numerous aftershocks and has caused significant structural damage to roads, religious temples, and government buildings. This Tuesday, a new seismic movement of magnitude 6.4 on the open Richter scale shook the southern area of the country, about 29 kilometers northeast of Coiba National Park.