New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama around midday Friday, partially collapsing St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Penonome and shaking buildings in the capital, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A second quake of magnitude 6.6 followed about two and a half hours later, and officials had not confirmed any deaths.

The first quake was centered about 7 miles southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba on the Pacific coast, at a depth of about 7 miles, according to USGS data. Tsunami warnings were issued for Panama and Colombia, as well as Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, and Al Jazeera reported that Panama's education ministry ordered schools closed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later...