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# Two Powerful Earthquakes Strike Panama, Triggering Nationwide Evacuations
- URL: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/two-powerful-earthquakes-strike-panama-triggering-nationwide-evacuations/
- Published: 2026-10-10T05:50:34.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-10T05:50:34.000Z
- Description: Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 6.6 struck Panama within hours, damaging buildings, disrupting utilities and triggering evacuations. No deaths were initially confirmed, but injuries and structural damage were reported as aftershocks continued.
- Author: TGV Desk
- Tags: Panama, Earthquake, Natural Disasters, Central America, Tsunami Warning, Panama Canal, The Day So Far, Top Stories, has-audio

Two powerful earthquakes struck Panama within hours on Friday, damaging buildings, disrupting essential services and forcing thousands of people into open spaces as repeated aftershocks shook the Central American country.

The first and strongest earthquake struck at 12:56 pm local time on October 9\. The [US Geological Survey](https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000u18k?ref=theglobalvoice.com) measured it at magnitude 7.7, after initially estimating a magnitude of 8.0\. It occurred at a shallow depth of about 12.6 kilometres, with its epicentre approximately 12 kilometres west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province.

> Today we witnessed a tragedy in Panama, an earthquake even stronger than the one in Venezuela shook the country. However, there was no tragedy on the level of Venezuela where we saw tragic images impossible to forget Someday there must be justice https://t.co/OzzmrL3i3c
> 
> — Jesse Watters (@\_Jesse\_watter) [October 10, 2026](https://x.com/%5FJesse%5Fwatter/status/2108743647868981537?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=theglobalvoice.com)

A second magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck later in the day, compounding fears that structures weakened by the initial shock could collapse. More than 45 aftershocks were recorded as emergency teams inspected homes, schools, roads, government buildings and other critical facilities.

The first earthquake was felt throughout Panama and in parts of neighbouring Colombia. In Panama City, about 200 kilometres from the epicentre, office towers and residential buildings swayed for several seconds. Workers evacuated high-rise buildings, while shoppers left commercial centres and gathered in parks, squares and other open areas.

> A 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck in Panama. The footage looks terrifying. https://t.co/uzvOsDn5IV
> 
> — Noor e ain (@Nooreainx3) [October 10, 2026](https://x.com/Nooreainx3/status/2108770487123714136?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=theglobalvoice.com)

Panama appeared to have avoided large-scale loss of life despite the strength and shallow depth of the earthquakes. No fatalities had been confirmed in the initial government assessments. However, at least 15 students reportedly suffered minor injuries during an evacuation at the Alberto Zúñiga School, while another person was rescued from a municipal market in Aguadulce.

Some of the most visible damage was reported in the central provinces of Herrera, Los Santos, Coclé and Veraguas. Homes developed cracks, roads were damaged and several public buildings required structural inspections. Parts of historic churches were also affected, including the Church of San Atanasio in Los Santos.

In Penonomé, officials reported damage to government buildings, commercial properties and a church. President José Raúl Mulino travelled to the city to examine the destruction and urged residents to remain calm while national and local authorities assessed the affected areas.

The earthquakes also disrupted electricity and water services. Power outages were reported across six provinces, while an early government assessment indicated that several water-treatment facilities had suffered structural damage. The plant serving Panama City was reportedly operating at sharply reduced capacity, raising concerns about water availability if repairs are delayed.

---

A tsunami warning was issued for parts of Panama and neighbouring Pacific coastlines following the first earthquake. The warning was later withdrawn, with no destructive tsunami reported. Coastal communities were nevertheless advised to remain alert for unusual currents and sudden changes in sea level.

Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended flights while runways and terminal facilities were examined. Operations later resumed. The Panama Canal continued handling vessels after emergency inspections, although minor damage was reported at several administrative buildings. The canal’s continued operation prevented an immediate disruption to one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The earthquake originated within the Azuero-Soná fault system, where accumulated tectonic pressure can produce powerful seismic events. Panama lies near the interaction of several tectonic plates and forms part of the wider Pacific Ring of Fire, although earthquakes of this intensity are relatively uncommon in the country.

The immediate priority is now the inspection of weakened buildings, restoration of water and electricity services and support for displaced families. Aftershocks may continue for days or weeks, leaving Panama’s emergency agencies facing a prolonged test even though the country appears to have escaped the worst possible outcome.