World · Latin America · 1 day ago
Two powerful earthquakes damage buildings in Panama as aftershocks continue
Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.7 and 6.6, struck Panama and were followed by dozens of aftershocks.
The first quake was centered near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, and shaking was felt as far away as Colombia.
Damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, where buildings collapsed and roads developed large cracks.
In La Villa de Los Santos, a historic church and homes collapsed, and some residents spent the night outdoors.
Authorities reported several injuries but had not attributed any deaths to the earthquakes.
The capital and the Panama Canal reported no damage, and the canal continued operating while technical teams inspected facilities.
Residents were waiting for government guidance, while officials assessed damage and safety across affected areas.
Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 struck Panama, toppling buildings near the epicenter and prompting evacuations.
Aftershocks continued for hours, with seismologists recording dozens, including three measuring 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2.
Damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, while no damage was reported in Panama City.
Several injuries were reported, but Panamanian authorities had not attributed any deaths to the earthquakes.
The Panama Canal continued operating normally, and Tocumen International Airport reopened after temporarily suspending operations.
- Who
- Residents across Panama were affected. Several injuries were reported.
- What
- Two powerful earthquakes damaged and toppled buildings, and aftershocks continued for hours.
- When
- The earthquakes struck before residents awoke on Saturday; the article was published October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Panama, with damage concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos provinces.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We’ve been here since 1 p.m. yesterday; we haven’t moved
It was a terrible thing. I can tell you with absolute certainty that in my 90 years, I had never experienced anything like it. It was intense—truly intense.
Two earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 struck Panama.
Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations.
Tocumen International Airport said it was reopening.
Residents spent the morning on the streets as aftershocks continued.
- Earthquake magnitudes
- 7.7 and 6.6
- Recorded aftershocks
- Dozens, including magnitudes 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2
- Epicenter
- About 10 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Herrera province
- Affected provinces
- Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos
- Historic church
- Church of San Atanasio in La Villa de Los Santos; declared a National Historic Heritage Site in 1938
- Deaths
- No deaths had been attributed to the earthquakes by Panamanian authorities
Sources
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