In short
- The US Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.7, with an epicentre about 10km (6.2 miles) from Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama at a depth of 12km.
- About 4.6 million people felt moderate to severe tremors, according to the US Geological Survey.
- Verified footage showed one side and a spire of the cathedral in Penonomé collapsed, and a local hotel almost completely destroyed.
- The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued warnings for 11 countries neighbouring Panama before confirming there was no threat.
- President José Raúl Mulino said his entire government was mobilising in response to the earthquake.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck south-central Panama shortly before 15:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Friday 9 October 2026, damaging buildings in the towns of Penonomé and Soná. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said about 4.6 million people felt moderate to severe tremors.
Where was the epicentre?
The USGS located the epicentre about 10km (6.2 miles) from Pitaloza Arriba, in south-central Panama, at a depth of 12km. Shallower earthquakes are more likely to produce severe effects at the surface. Several large aftershocks were reported near the initial quake, potentially complicating the situation on the surface.
How much damage has been reported?
Verified footage showed one side of a cathedral in Penonomé collapsed, along with one of its spires, and another video showed a local hotel almost completely destroyed. Footage shared online appeared to show collapsed buildings in Penonomé and Soná, including one clip of a man calling out to anyone trapped under the rubble. No casualties have been reported so far, and the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
Ricardo Brown, a 74-year-old resident of the Las Minas neighbourhood in Herrera province, told the news agency Reuters that the earthquake had damaged several homes nearby. “We’re scared. It’s just the two of us old folks here. The house has cracked and we’re afraid it could fall on us,” he said.
Was there a tsunami warning?
The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued tsunami warnings for 11 countries neighbouring Panama, before confirming there was no threat. The Panama Canal Authority said the canal, the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was unaffected by the earthquake.
What happened in Panama City?
Many people were evacuated from buildings in Panama City, about 200km from the epicentre, and took to the streets or nearby parks until the shaking stopped. In the capital, damage appeared limited to debris falling from roofs, as reported in coverage of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that shook Panama City.
What has the government said?
President José Raúl Mulino said his entire government was mobilising in response to the earthquake. “What happened should not be used to cause alarm or disorder,” he said.
What comes next?
The earthquake struck three days before Panama was scheduled to hold a national evacuation drill for dealing with a major earthquake. It also follows devastating earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela earlier this year, and comes during an Atlantic season that may end without a single hurricane for the first time in the satellite era.
Frequently asked questions
How strong was the earthquake in Panama?
The US Geological Survey recorded it at magnitude 7.7, with an epicentre about 10km (6.2 miles) from Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama at a depth of 12km.
Did the Panama earthquake cause a tsunami?
The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued tsunami warnings for 11 countries neighbouring Panama, then confirmed there was no threat.
How many people felt the tremors?
About 4.6 million people felt moderate to severe tremors, according to the US Geological Survey.
Was the Panama Canal affected?
The authority that oversees marine traffic through the Panama Canal said the waterway was unaffected by the earthquake.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. House Home — Todd Cravens / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
