WASHINGTON - A MAJOR 6.2-magnitude earthquake shook western Panama early on Wednesday near the border with Costa Rica, the US Geological Survey reported.

The epicentre of the quake was about 57km west-south-west of David, the third largest city in Panama with an estimated population of 125,000 people, and about 48km south-south-east of the town of Golfito across the border in Costa Rica, according to the USGS.

It was recorded at 1.11am (2.11pm Singapore time) and occurred at a depth of 48km.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Panamanian authorities refer to the zone in the western part of the country where the quake occurred as the 'Panama fracture' south of David, the capital of Chiriqui province.

It was the site of a quake on January 24 measuring 6.1 on the Moment Magnitude scale, while another 6.2-magnitude quake struck the region on December 30, 2005. -- AFP