Panama earthquake injures at least 27 as damage assessments continue

A powerful earthquake struck southern Panama on October 9, 2026, shaking buildings in the capital and prompting evacuations. The Independent, citing the U.S. Geological Survey, placed its centre about 10 kilometres southwest of Pitaloza Arriba.

Most coverage described the earthquake as magnitude 7.7, initially a preliminary measurement according to The New York Times. The supplied reports differ: The Hindu reported 7.6, while RT en Español reported 7.2. They also give differing accounts of the time and precise location.

On October 9, people fled buildings as the shaking reached well beyond the epicentre. CBS News reported that buildings shook more than 100 miles away in Panama City and that a second magnitude 6.6 earthquake followed hours later.

The first earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across several countries. Al Jazeera named Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Chile among those receiving warnings. Later that day, CNN Brasil reported that the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center had cancelled the alert and said the risk had passed.

Evacuations disrupted transport as well as daily life. Mint reported the evacuation of the capital's international airport, while Business Line reported suspended airport operations and assessments of structural damage as aftershocks continued.

Reports from the hardest-hit areas described serious destruction. Le Monde reported that president José Raul Mulino called the situation a major disaster and described roads as completely collapsed in the worst-affected areas. On October 10, Le Monde reported roughly 100 aftershocks.

By October 10, the damage tally had become more specific. ABC reported at least 27 minor injuries, about 300 evacuees and more than 400 affected buildings, including 142 residences and 188 schools.

No deaths have been reported in the latest coverage. CNN Brasil, citing Panama's National Civil Protection System, reported 27 injuries and said there were no reports of missing people as of 8 p.m. on October 9. ANSA subsequently reported no deaths or missing people and said flights had resumed.

Accounts differ on the overall extent of destruction. CBC said Panama appeared to have escaped widespread destruction, while Al Jazeera described devastation in the south. The detailed building tally shows substantial damage, but the supplied coverage does not establish a complete nationwide assessment.

Some communities remain cut off. Infobae reported that Leones, Cébaco and Gobernadora islands in Montijo district, Veraguas province, had damaged homes, sunken boats and supply problems, leaving residents needing water and food.

The immediate unresolved needs include reaching Montijo's isolated island communities and restoring supplies. Infobae reported continuing isolation, but the supplied coverage gives no timetable for delivering water and food.

Building safety assessments are another pending task, particularly with 188 schools affected in the tally reported by ABC. Business Line reported that authorities were assessing structural damage and safety risks as aftershocks rattled the country; the coverage does not yet establish which affected buildings are safe to reopen.