A strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck near the southern coast of Panama at a depth of 10km, according to the US Geological Survey, which downgraded an earlier estimate of 8.0 magnitude.
There were no immediate reports of damage in Panama while television footage showed people leaving buildings.
Tremors were felt in Panama City, where buildings shook.
The quake was centred near the southern tip of Panama, about 14km southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, the USGS said.
The US Tsunami Warning System showed potential tsunami threats across much of Central America's Pacific coast as well as in Colombia and Ecuador.
The quake was felt in the capital of Panama City as well as in the capital of neighbouring Costa Rica, according to Reuters witnesses.
with AP
