Panama Earthquake: 7.7 Quake Damages Buildings, Tsunami Warning Lifted
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026, damaging buildings and prompting a tsunami warning across Central and South America, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and news reports. The tsunami warning was later lifted, and no deaths had been reported in the sources reviewed.
Key facts about the quake
The USGS said the earthquake struck at 12:56 p.m. local time, about 10 to 12 kilometres west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, in Panama’s Herrera Province, at a shallow depth of roughly 10 to 12 kilometres. It was first measured at 7.6 and later revised to 7.7, according to AFP; the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially reported a magnitude of 8.
Panama’s Institute of Geosciences recorded more than 100 aftershocks, according to The Watchers. ABC News reports that the USGS recorded a 6.6-magnitude aftershock near Rio Grande and a 5.8 near El Cacao.
Timeline:
- 12:56 p.m. local: 7.7 quake strikes near Pitaloza Arriba.
- Minutes later: Tsunami warning issued for nine countries.
- 2:40 p.m. local: Tsunami threat ends, per The Watchers.
- Later Friday: Authorities assess damage; no deaths reported.
Damage and casualties
Omar Smith of Panama’s National Civil Protection Service said damage was mainly reported in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, with none in the capital, according to Euronews.
The San Juan Bautista Cathedral in Penonomé was damaged, La Prensa reported, as relayed by AFP. ABC News also reported damage to the building housing the regional government in Penonomé.
Rene Garcia, head of emergency operations at the National Civil Protection System, told AFP there were no reported fatalities so far. Euronews said at least 27 people had reportedly been injured, while earlier reports said none.
Tsunami warning and response
The U.S. National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center warned of possible waves along the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. Waves of one to three metres were considered possible along parts of Panama’s coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said the threat had passed, and no warning, advisory, watch or threat remained in effect, according to The Watchers. Scientific American quoted a USGS seismologist explaining that the quake happened on land at a shallow depth, which makes a tsunami less likely.
The Panama Canal Authority said canal operations continued normally, Reuters reported. President José Raúl Mulino urged residents to remain calm, Vision Times reported.
Background and what happens next
Newsweek quoted University of California, Riverside professor Gareth Funning as saying there is a “major fault” on the Azuero Peninsula, where the quake occurred. AFP noted that earthquakes are rare in Panama, and usually strike in the western Chiriquí province.
Panama’s National Civil Protection System told ABC News it was not considering requesting international help at this time but was still evaluating the damage. An early USGS model cited by Scientific American estimated possible fatalities in the dozens to hundreds, but no deaths have been reported.
Figures on damage and injuries may change as assessments continue. Joydey9ja.com will update this report when authorities publish confirmed totals.
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