A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama on Friday 9 October 2026, damaging buildings and prompting evacuations. At least 27 people were reported injured, according to Euronews. A tsunami warning issued for the eastern Pacific after the quake was later lifted.
Citing the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Euronews reports that the epicentre was around 12 kilometres west-south-west of Pitaloza Arriba. Tremors were also felt in the capital, Panama City, where residents left buildings and went out into the streets.
Most reports of damage came from the provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, according to civil protection official Omar Smith, quoted by Euronews. He said no damage had been reported in the capital. The broadcaster also describes local footage showing a cathedral collapsing and a hotel façade falling onto a car in Penonomé.
Rene Garcia, head of emergency operations for the national civil protection system, told AFP that no deaths had been reported at that stage. That statement and the figure of at least 27 injured reflect the situation described in the Euronews report, rather than a final casualty toll.
Several aftershocks followed the main earthquake. Although the tsunami warning was lifted, this does not mean that all risks associated with the quake and damaged buildings have ended.
