This photo shows a collapsed building and damaged cars after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Penonomé, Panama on October 9, 2026. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP)
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 10, 2026
PANAMA CITY, October 10, 2026 — A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, October 9, followed by a magnitude 6.6 earthquake and dozens of aftershocks. The tremors damaged buildings, disrupted electricity in six provinces and forced residents to evacuate homes, offices and schools. The U.S. Geological Survey said the main earthquake occurred at a depth of 12.6 kilometers, with its epicenter near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province.
In Penonomé, several buildings collapsed or sustained damage, including a church and public buildings. The shaking was also felt in Panama City, where residents evacuated buildings and traffic disruptions followed. Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended flights before resuming operations. The Panama Canal, a major route for global shipping, continued operating normally despite the earthquake.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami alert for parts of Central and South America, but the threat was later lifted. No fatalities had been confirmed in initial reports, although damage assessments and emergency inspections continued. President José Raúl Mulino visited affected areas as officials monitored aftershocks and evaluated the damage. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that economic losses could reach between 1% and 10% of Panama’s gross domestic product.
