LA County rescue support team deploys to Panama after earthquake

A 10-member Los Angeles County international urban search and rescue support team departed for Panama after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the country, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

The deployment sends county fire, public works and health personnel to assist after collapsed buildings, evacuations and aftershocks were reported in Panama, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. The report did not identify a direct Orange County connection.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the Los Angeles County Fire Department's International Urban Search and Rescue Team sent a 10-member support team to Panama after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake hit the country.

The team, known as USA-02, was activated by the U.S. State Department on Friday and left for Panama on Friday night, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the support team includes six Los Angeles County Fire Department members, three structural specialists from the county Department of Public Works and one medical doctor from LA Health Services.

The county fire department's 79-member international USAR Heavy Rescue Team was also alerted for possible deployment, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

The earthquake struck Friday afternoon, leading to collapsed buildings and evacuations across Panama, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Dozens of aftershocks followed, including one with a magnitude of 6.6, and no fatalities were immediately reported.

ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the situation in Panama included continuing aftershocks as the Los Angeles County support team headed to assist.