A powerful Panama earthquake has damaged hundreds of buildings, disrupted public services and forced residents to evacuate their homes after a magnitude 7.7 tremor struck the country on Friday, October 9. The disaster injured at least 27 people, although authorities reported no deaths in their latest assessment released on Saturday.
According to Panama’s National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), approximately 300 people evacuated affected buildings as emergency workers began assessing the damage across several provinces. Officials reported damage to more than 400 structures, including residential properties, schools, hospitals, churches, government offices, bridges and roads.
The earthquake struck at 12:56 p.m. local time, with its epicentre near Pitaloza Arriba in central Panama’s Herrera province, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The agency initially estimated the magnitude at 8.0 before revising it to 7.7.
Although the tremor originated far from the capital, residents of Panama City felt the shaking strongly. Office workers and residents rushed out of high-rise buildings as furniture, household items and other objects moved during the prolonged tremor.
Several Provinces Report Structural Damage
The earthquake caused widespread disruption in central Panama, particularly in Herrera, Veraguas and Los Santos, while authorities also reported damage in other areas. Emergency teams continued inspecting affected properties to determine the extent of the destruction and identify buildings that might pose safety risks.
SINAPROC reported that 142 residences and 188 educational institutions were among the affected structures. Hospitals, churches, government facilities and transport infrastructure also suffered damage, raising concerns about access to essential services in some communities.
Penonomé, in Coclé province, recorded some of the most visible damage. Reports indicated that a small hotel and a government building collapsed, while part of the historic San Juan Bautista Cathedral also suffered a collapse involving one of its towers.
Authorities also reported damaged roads that complicated access to certain locations. Health Minister Fernando Boyd identified Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos among the areas facing significant impacts, while officials explored alternative routes to reach communities that had become difficult to access by land.
The government began coordinating emergency operations as inspection teams worked to establish the condition of public infrastructure and residential buildings. Officials urged residents to exercise caution around damaged structures while assessments continued.
Tsunami Threat Lifted as Aftershocks Continue
The strong tremor prompted concern beyond Panama because of its location near the Pacific coast. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat following the earthquake, warning of potentially dangerous waves in parts of the eastern Pacific.
However, the centre later lifted the threat after reviewing the situation. Authorities continued monitoring seismic activity because aftershocks followed the main earthquake, creating further concern among residents who had already evacuated their buildings.
Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations as a precaution, causing some flights to divert to other airports. Authorities later lifted the suspension, allowing airport operations to resume.
Despite the damage reported across the country, the Panama Canal continued operating normally, according to the canal authority. The Cobre Panama copper mine also reported normal operations, offering some reassurance about the status of major economic infrastructure.
President José Raúl Mulino travelled to Penonomé to coordinate the government’s response and assess the situation in affected communities. Meanwhile, emergency personnel continued collecting information on injuries, damaged buildings and disruptions to essential services.
The absence of reported deaths offered some relief, but the full impact of the earthquake remained under assessment. Authorities are expected to revise their figures as inspections progress and more information becomes available.
For affected residents, the immediate priorities include confirming that homes and public buildings are safe, restoring disrupted services and ensuring that emergency teams can reach isolated communities. Officials continue to monitor the situation as Panama responds to one of its strongest recent earthquakes.