1 hr ago
Panama Declares Major Disaster After Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake
A strong earthquake shook Panama on Friday, October 9.
It lasted about a minute and caused some roads to collapse and buildings to be damaged.
President José Raúl Mulino declared a major disaster and went to Penonomé to coordinate the response.
Some communities, including Tonosí, were difficult to reach because roads were blocked.
No casualties were immediately reported.
More than 80 smaller earthquakes followed, and one was stronger than magnitude 6.0.
A tsunami warning was issued and then lifted.
The Panama Canal kept working, but the capital's airport closed temporarily and schools across the country suspended classes.
A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Panama on Friday, October 9, shaking the country for about a minute.
President José Raúl Mulino declared a major disaster; roads collapsed and buildings were damaged, with no immediate reports of casualties.
Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos were among the hardest-hit provinces, and Tonosí was cut off by impassable roads.
More than 80 aftershocks were recorded, including one above magnitude 6.0; an eastern Pacific tsunami warning was later lifted.
The Panama Canal continued operating normally, while Panama City's international airport temporarily closed and schools nationwide suspended classes.
- Who
- Residents and authorities in Panama; President José Raúl Mulino coordinated the response.
- What
- A magnitude-7.7 earthquake caused road collapses and building damage; no immediate casualties were reported.
- Where
- Central Panama, with the epicenter about 10 kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026; the quake struck at 1756 GMT.
- Why
- The earthquake caused damage and disrupted access and travel, prompting the disaster declaration and emergency response.
Key facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7; the USGS initially estimated magnitude 8.0 before revising it.
- Duration
- About one minute.
- Epicenter
- About 10 kilometers from Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province.
- Aftershocks
- More than 80 were recorded, including one above magnitude 6.0.
- Hardest-hit areas
- Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos provinces.
- Tsunami warning
- Issued for the eastern Pacific and later lifted.
- Transport and services
- Canal shipping remained normal; the international airport temporarily closed, and schools nationwide suspended classes.
Quotes
Jose Raul Mulino
President of Panama
“We thank God for protecting the Panamanian people. We will immediately activate a structural evaluation and support plan for all the affected people”
news18.com
“We are trying to figure out how to get there by air, because it's impossible by land.”
NDTV
news18.com
Salomon Andion
Resident who evacuated his building in Panama City
“I was scared because the shaking was very strong and prolonged. Heavy objects like dressers, the bed, and all the kitchen items were shaking.”
NDTV
Sources
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