Panama declares disaster, regional leaders pledge international support
Panama's president declares disaster; regional leaders offer humanitarian aid in response.
Event / Disaster
Panama Earthquake October 2026
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on October 9, 2026, causing structural damage, injuries, and infrastructure destruction across multiple cities. Over 100 aftershocks followed the initial quake, which was felt across Central America. Despite significant damage to buildings, roads, schools, and hospitals, no deaths were initially reported.
3 reported locations
Daily activity
3 articles0 articles
2026-10-10 to 2026-10-29 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Oct, 11:07 UTC
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What happened
Multiple buildings collapsed and cathedral damaged in Penonomé and other towns
Multiple buildings collapsed in several towns across Panama, including Penonomé in Coclé province and the fishing village of Santa Catalina in Veraguas province. The cathedral in Penonomé was damaged, along with roofs and walls of numerous buildings. Tonosí, a town of 9,000 inhabitants approximately 360 kilometers from Panama City, was one of the hardest-hit areas and became inaccessible by land.
Regional leaders express solidarity and offer humanitarian assistance
The presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala expressed solidarity with Panama and indicated readiness to send aid if necessary. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States stood with the Panamanian people and announced mobilization of resources and personnel at Panama's request.
7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama on October 9, 2026
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on October 9, 2026, at 12:56 local time (17:56 GMT). The epicenter was located 10 kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province in the south-central region. The earthquake lasted approximately one minute and was followed by over 100 aftershocks. The tremor was felt strongly throughout Panama and in neighboring Costa Rica.
President José Raul Mulino declares situation a 'great disaster'
Panamanian President José Raul Mulino visited Penonomé in the late afternoon following the earthquake. He declared the situation a 'great disaster,' noting completely collapsed roads in the hardest-hit zones. He called for calm and urged the population not to spread false information. The Ministry of Education ordered the suspension of classes.
At least 27 people injured in Panama earthquake
At least 27 people were injured in the earthquake, with two individuals becoming trapped under collapsed buildings in Veraguas province. No deaths were reported at the time of preliminary assessments. However, some sources indicated that higher casualty figures were feared as rescue operations continued.
Tocumen International Airport temporarily closed after earthquake
Tocumen International Airport, a major aviation hub in Latin America serving Panama, was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. Multiple flights were diverted to other airport terminals.
Roads, schools, hospitals, and bridges damaged across Panama
The earthquake caused extensive damage to infrastructure across Panama, including roads described as 'totally collapsed' in the hardest-hit areas, school buildings, hospitals, churches, administrative buildings, bridges, and residential homes. Two metro lines in Panama City were closed, causing disruption to transportation for several hours.
Panama Canal continues operating normally after earthquake
Despite initial tsunami alert, the Panama Canal, which handles 5% of global maritime commerce, continued operating normally. Specialized teams inspected the canal's infrastructure to ensure no damage. The canal's operations were not disrupted by the earthquake.
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2 alternative perspectives
Panama Canal and airport operational status assessed after quake
Panama Canal operational; Tocumen Airport temporarily closed for assessment.
7.7 magnitude quake causes widespread structural damage across Panama
7.7 magnitude Panama earthquake caused building collapses, 27 injuries, and damage to critical infrastructure nationwide.