Sudden Terror: When Vacation Turned into a Nightmare
What was supposed to be a relaxing getaway turned into a fight for survival for several Quebecers visiting Panama. Among them was Sébastien Jenkins, a resident of Amqui, who witnessed the terrifying power of nature firsthand during a massive seismic event.
The nightmare began around 1:00 PM local time. Jenkins and his partner were in a taxi when the ground began to heave. The scene was apocalyptic: buildings collapsing and a driver paralyzed by shock. “We felt the tremor just before reaching the airport,” Jenkins recalls, describing a moment of pure vulnerability.
Chaos at the Airport and the Fight for Shelter
Upon arriving at the airport, the situation was far from controlled. The facility was shut down, and passengers were cordoned off outside to prevent injuries from falling debris. For hours, travelers were left in a vacuum of information, with no updates from airlines or the Canadian Embassy, which was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The distress continued well into the night. While some were relocated via buses, many—including Jenkins and about ten other Quebecers—were left behind due to a lack of space. The situation was further complicated by a tsunami alert, adding a layer of psychological terror to an already dire situation.
Surviving the Aftershocks
The seismic activity didn’t stop with the initial blow. Between 2:00 PM and midnight, a series of intermittent tremors ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 on the Richter scale kept everyone on edge.
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- Constant Vigilance: Travelers had to run for cover every time the ground vibrated.
- Danger Zones: People were forced to flee from telephone poles and unstable structures.
- Physical and Emotional Trauma: Jenkins reports that many of his companions suffered lasting physical and psychological sequels.
A Call for Better Emergency Protocols
After two days of uncertainty and navigating the logistics of cancelled flights on their own, Jenkins and the group finally managed to return to Canada. However, the experience has left him with a burning desire for systemic change.
Jenkins expresses deep disappointment regarding the lack of support from official channels. “To be abandoned by the Embassy and the transport companies was ordinary [unacceptable],” he stated. He believes that emergency protocols for citizens abroad must be overhauled to ensure no one is left behind during a global catastrophe.
For those traveling internationally, it is highly recommended to register with the Government of Canada’s travel advisories to ensure better coordination during emergencies. To understand more about how seismic activity is monitored globally, you can visit the USGS (United States Geological Survey).
