Archive · 11 Oct 2026
India Expresses Solidarity With Panama After Powerful Earthquake
A strong earthquake struck near Panama on Friday.
It damaged buildings, roads and other important places.
Some people were hurt, but reports at the time said no one had died or was missing.
Many smaller earthquakes followed the main one.
Panama declared an emergency so government teams could organize help and supplies.
President José Raúl Mulino ordered a commission to coordinate the response.
India and the United States said they stood with Panama, and the United States offered assistance at Panama's request.
A tsunami warning was issued earlier, but officials later said there was no longer a threat.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed solidarity with Panama after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the country.
Panama declared a state of emergency and formed a commission to coordinate relief and support affected communities.
The quake damaged homes, schools, health facilities, roads and public buildings; several people sustained minor injuries, with no deaths or missing people reported at the time.
Authorities reported 147 aftershocks, including some measured at magnitudes 6.1 and 6.6.
Transport disruptions included temporary suspensions on two metro lines and a precautionary airport closure; airport operations later resumed.
- Who
- Panama and its affected communities; India and the United States expressed support.
- What
- A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Panama, prompting an emergency declaration and relief efforts.
- When
- Friday night, with Panama declaring the emergency on Saturday; the article also identifies the quake date as October 9.
- Where
- Off Panama, with the epicentre about 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province; damage was reported in several parts of the country.
- Why
- Panama declared an emergency to coordinate relief and provide resources to affected communities.
- Earthquake magnitude
- 7.7 preliminary magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey as cited by CNN.
- Epicentre
- About 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province.
- Aftershocks
- 147 were reported; some reached magnitudes of 6.1 and 6.6.
- Reported casualties
- Several minor injuries; no fatalities or missing persons were reported at the time.
- Emergency response
- Panama declared a state of emergency and formed a commission to coordinate relief.
- Transport
- Services on two metro lines were suspended, and the main international airport temporarily closed before resuming operations.
- Tsunami threat
- A warning was issued for possible waves, but the US Tsunami Warning System later said there was no longer a threat.