All members of the Football Ferns squad are safe after two 7.7 and 6.6-magnitude quakes struck Panama shortly before 7am (NZT). <\/p>\n
The Football Ferns were set to play a two-match series against Panama, with the first game due to kick off on Sunday at 10am.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Football released a statement on social media saying players and staff have been accounted for, and that they are navigating the situation alongside organisers.<\/p>\n
“New Zealand Football is in contact with local authorities, team management and match organisers and will continue to monitor the situation,” it said.<\/p>\n
“Should there be any further updates, New Zealand Football will provide them through its official channels.”<\/p>\n
There was no threat of a tsunami for New Zealand following the quakes.<\/p>\n
The US Geological Survey said it struck at a depth of 10 kilometres. <\/p>\n
The National Emergency Management Agency said the quake was unlikely to have created a tsunami that could hit New Zealand. <\/p>\n
“Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will affect New Zealand,” NEMA said. <\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there were 51 New Zealanders registered as being in Panama. <\/p>\n
“MFAT has not received any requests for assistance from New Zealanders,” it added. <\/p>\n
The first quake was centred about 10 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama\u2019s southern tip, the USGS said. <\/p>\n