A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama at 12:56 p.m. local time on Friday, October 9, 2026, near its Pacific coast. The quake damaged buildings in three central provinces and set off tsunami warnings from Mexico to Ecuador. The Panama Canal kept operating while inspection teams checked its facilities.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Geological Survey first measured the earthquake at magnitude 8.0 before revising it to 7.6 and then 7.7. It struck at a shallow depth near Pitaloza Arriba.
- Panama’s National Civil Protection Service reported damage concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos provinces, with no reported damage in Panama City.
- Several injuries were reported, but no deaths in the first hours after the quake.
- The Panama Canal Authority activated its emergency protocol, kept ships moving, and sent technical teams to inspect canal facilities.
- Tsunami forecasts called for waves of 1 to 3 meters along parts of Panama’s coast before the warning was lifted. A Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
- Aftershocks included events of magnitude 5.8 and 5.5. Panama’s presidency counted more than a dozen in the first hours.
The Earthquake Hit a Remote Stretch of Panama’s Pacific Coast
The earthquake’s epicenter was about 10 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a small community on the Pacific side of the Azuero Peninsula. The USGS initially reported a depth of about 10 kilometers, which is shallow enough to cause strong ground shaking over a wide area. The USGS also revised the magnitude twice in the first hour, from 8.0 to 7.6 and then to 7.7.
Buildings shook in Panama City, more than 160 kilometers away, and residents went out into the streets. The shaking was also felt in San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica. The USGS impact assessment said some casualties were possible and extensive damage was probable, which helped shape the early emergency response.
Damage Is Concentrated in Panama’s Central Provinces
Omar Smith of Panama’s National Civil Protection Service said the damage was concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. In Penonomé, about 110 kilometers from the epicenter, one person was struck by debris from a partly collapsed structure. Verified video from the city showed a church with a damaged steeple and another building with a crumbled front wall.
The coastal resort town of Playa Venao also saw serious damage. A multi-story building there collapsed onto parked cars. No deaths had been confirmed in the first hours, but official figures are expected to change as rescue teams reach smaller communities on the peninsula.
President José Raúl Mulino urged the public to stay calm, directed the minister of government to provide regular updates on the quake’s effects, and sent resources to affected areas.
Panama Shuts Down Schools, Transit, and Its Main Airport
Panama’s government took several precautions across the country. The Education Ministry canceled classes nationwide for the rest of the day, and the president’s office suspended administrative offices. Panama City’s metro stopped service on two lines and evacuated passengers from some stations. The country’s main international airport closed temporarily.
Utilities were also affected. The power company Naturgy reported electricity disruptions in six provinces. The national water and sewage institute said power outages interrupted several water treatment plants. These outages often affect daily life longer than the shaking itself, especially in rural areas where crews take longer to restore service.
The Panama Canal Keeps Moving as Inspectors Check Its Facilities
For global trade, the main question was the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Authority said ships continued passing through the canal without interruption. It activated its emergency protocol and sent technical teams to inspect facilities, saying its priority was the safety of employees, vessels, and crews.
About 90 vessels, including bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships, were waiting at both ends of the canal on Friday to pass through or dock at nearby terminals, according to ship-tracking data. Any damage found during the inspections could affect shipping schedules well beyond Panama. For now, the canal authority’s statements point to continued normal operations.
Tsunami Warnings Spread Along the Pacific Coast of the Americas
Within minutes, the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that hazardous waves were possible. Forecasts called for waves of 1 to 3 meters above tide level along parts of Panama’s coast and 0.3 to 1 meter along parts of Ecuador. Coastal areas of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Colombia were also placed on alert.
Officials said a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected, and the U.S. warning system later said there was no longer a tsunami threat. The quick warning and its withdrawal show how closely regional monitoring now tracks large undersea earthquakes in the eastern Pacific.
A Region Already Hit Hard by Earthquakes This Year
The Panama earthquake comes during a difficult year for seismic disasters in Latin America. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela over the summer, and a Colombian earthquake caused heavy loss of life. Natural disasters have hit many parts of the world in 2026, including the glacial flooding across Nepal and Tibet that killed more than 900 people.
Panama has its own history of major earthquakes. The 1882 earthquake, estimated at magnitude 7.9 to 8.3, killed about 250 people, including 75 in a tsunami, and delayed early canal construction for several months. In 1991, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake centered in Costa Rica killed 79 people in Panama’s Bocas del Toro province.
Friday’s earthquake will test how well Panama’s buildings and emergency systems hold up compared with those past events. The coming days of damage assessments in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos will show how much the country needs to rebuild.
FAQs
How Strong Was the Panama Earthquake on October 9, 2026?
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.7, after first reporting 8.0 and then 7.6. It struck at 12:56 p.m. local time near Pitaloza Arriba on Panama’s Pacific coast.
Is the Panama Canal Still Operating After the Earthquake?
Yes. The Panama Canal Authority said ships continued to pass without interruption while technical teams inspected facilities under its emergency protocol.
Was There a Tsunami After the Panama Earthquake?
Warnings forecast waves of 1 to 3 meters along parts of Panama’s coast and smaller waves near Ecuador. The U.S. warning system later said the tsunami threat had passed, and a Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected.
Which Areas of Panama Were Damaged?
Damage was concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos provinces. Buildings were damaged in Penonomé and Playa Venao, while no damage was reported in Panama City.
Were There Injuries or Deaths From the Panama Earthquake?
Several injuries were reported, including one person struck by debris in Penonomé. No deaths had been confirmed in the first hours, and officials are still assessing the impact.
