Massive earthquake strikes Panama at magnitude 7.6, tsunami threat issued
- On Friday, October 9, 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama, at 10 km depth, according to the U.S. Geological Survey; tremors shook buildings as far as Panama City, prompting mass evacuations.
- Panama lies along the 'Ring of Fire,' a 25,000-mile arc of volcanoes and fault lines around the Pacific Basin, where tectonic plate convergence makes strong earthquakes recurring.
- Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service reported damage concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos provinces, while local media footage showed a Catholic cathedral collapsing in Penonomé.
- The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for nine countries, including Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, warning of potential waves 1 to 3 m high for coastal residents.
- Media reports confirm the Panama Canal is operating normally, and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino called for calm, stating, "What happened should not be used to cause alarm or disorder.
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Rocky Mountain Outlook
Bay News 9Two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rock Panama
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Two powerful 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes and a series of aftershocks struck Panama Friday afternoon, collapsing buildings near the epicenter and prompting evacuations across the country, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Central American Country Rocked By Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake, Tsunami Alerts Issued – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Danielle
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake shook Panama on Friday, triggering evacuations and tsunami alerts. The earthquake reportedly collapsed buildings near its […]
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama, shaking buildings and causing damage. People rushed to evacuate buildings, while several countries in Central and South America issued tsunami warnings.
Radio France Internationale
rtl.luTsunami alert after major earthquake rocks Panama
USGS said the quake was detected at 1756 GMT with an epicenter 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the small town of Pitaloza Arriba in the south-center of Panama. It initially measured at magnitude 8. The quake was registered at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers, meaning its impact was likely to be more severe. It was felt across the country of around 4.5 million people, according to the USGS. Several large aftershocks, one a magnitude-6 tremor, were…
Los Angeles Times
Independent EspañolResidents of Panama City visibly shocked gathered in the streets as they felt the strong tremor.
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