Panama, Mar 5: Powerful winds and waves caused by a cold front from North America on Monday grounded at least six ships on the Caribbean coast of Panama, officials said.
The ships include several massive cargo vessels stranded off the city of Colon, near the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal.
No injuries or environmental damage were immediately reported, although residents reported a smell of petroleum in the vicinity of a ship that appeared to have a ruptured hull.
Red Cross workers attempted to secure some of the vessels as waves battered the coastline.
Officials reported 10 flooded homes and one person missing in the area due to bad weather.
The ships were not travelling through the canal and traffic in the channel was not affected.
