6.3 magnitude earthquake shakes western Panama

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit western Panama on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake was reported at 10:23 p.m. local time (GMT0523), two miles from La Esperanza, Panama.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, though social media users reportedly felt the tremor.

This is the first earthquake exceeding 3.0 magnitude in the past 10 days, in a country that is prone to frequent earthquakes.

Last month, a magnitude 6.1 quake centered near the western town of David damaged property and injured at least two people.

In 2003, a magnitude-6.7 earthquake destroyed hundreds of homes and killed two people.