A team within the Los Angeles County Fire Department is responding to Panama after two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rattled the country Friday afternoon.

According to LA County Fire, 10 members of its international urban search and rescue team, known as USA-02, have been activated by the U.S. Department of State, marking the team’s third international deployment this year.

The latest deployment comes less than 24 hours after the two temblors — with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.6 — and a series of aftershocks struck southern Panama, causing nearby buildings to collapse and prompting evacuations. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was near the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, about 122 miles southwest of Panama City.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said no deaths or injuries were reported as of Friday evening but that numbers could quickly change. Seismologists pointed to the country’s strict building codes, especially for skyscrapers, according to the Associated Press.

The initial quake was followed by a 6.6-magnitude tremor and dozens of aftershocks throughout the region. Kathy Vara reports for the NBC4 News at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

It’s a far less severe outcome than seen in Venezuela, where two back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in June killed more than 6,500 people and left 17,000 homeless, and Colombia, where a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in August killed at least 289 people. USA-02 responded to both countries.

Panama is situated on the “Ring of Fire” — a 25,000-mile loop around the Pacific Basic, known for having the world’s most earthquake and volcanic activity. However, Allan Husk, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology, told NBC Los Angeles the 7.7 magnitude quake happened in an unexpected area.

“The rupture itself was about 50 miles long, so it’s a very long rupture,” Husk said. “It was across one of the peninsulas of Panama. It was away from Panama City, so Panama City is the major population center.”

LA County Fire said its 79-member international USAR Heavy Rescue Team has received notice that it might be deployed as well.

“Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this devastating earthquake, and we wish all the first responders responding safe travels as they assist during this time of great need,” the fire department said in a statement.