A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near the southern coast of Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026, causing significant structural damage and injuring at least 27 people. The epicenter was located near the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in the central province of Herrera, at a depth of 12.6 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor was felt as far away as Panama City, roughly 200 kilometers from the epicenter.
Panama's National Civil Protection System reported that the 27 injuries across the country were mostly minor. As of Friday evening, President José Raúl Mulino stated that authorities had not documented any fatalities, though he cautioned that the situation could change in the coming hours or days.
The quake caused extensive damage in central Panama. In Penonomé, located about 150 kilometers from the capital, the San Juan Bautista Cathedral suffered a partial collapse, and the Dos Continentes hotel sustained severe damage. President Mulino traveled to Penonomé to coordinate the disaster response, describing the event as a "major disaster" and urging citizens to remain calm.
Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for several countries in Central and South America, including Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. The alerts were lifted later on Friday afternoon, with the U.S. Tsunami Warning System confirming there was no remaining tsunami threat.
The USGS initially estimated the earthquake's magnitude at 8.0 before revising it down to 7.7. The region continued to experience significant seismic activity, with more than 45 aftershocks recorded, including a magnitude 6.6 event near the Rio Grande township.
Critical infrastructure largely withstood the tremor. The Panama Canal Authority reported that shipping operations along the global trade route continued normally. Tocumen International Airport in Panama City temporarily suspended flights as a precaution but reopened later the same day.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States was closely monitoring the situation and rapidly mobilizing resources and personnel to assist Panama at the request of the Panamanian government.
Confirmed facts: The earthquake measured magnitude 7.7, injured at least 27 people, and caused substantial building damage in Herrera and Coclé provinces. Tsunami warnings have been lifted, and the Panama Canal remains operational.
What remains unknown: The full extent of structural and economic damage is still being assessed. No fatalities had been documented as of Friday evening, and officials cautioned the toll could change as inspections reach affected areas.
Awaited updates: Authorities await further damage assessments and continued monitoring of aftershocks. The government has not yet released a definitive report on total material losses.