Powerful earthquake hits Panama and triggers regional tsunami warnings

A strong earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, 9 October 2026, causing buildings to shake as far away as Panama City and prompting evacuations. The US Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at 17:56 UTC at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Outlets reported varying initial measurements for the earthquake, with Euronews and France 24 reporting a magnitude of 7.6, while Al Jazeera and The Rio Times reported it as 7.7. [1][2][3][4][7][8][9]

The epicenter was located near the southern coast of Panama, close to the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba. Euronews placed the location 14 kilometres southwest of the town, while Al Jazeera and France 24 reported it was 10 kilometres away, and The Rio Times placed it 12 kilometres west-south-west. In Panama City, residents panicked and fled into the streets as tremors shook buildings. [1][2][3][4]

The earthquake damaged structures in central Panama, where local footage showed a cathedral collapsing and a hotel facade falling onto a car in Penonomé. According to Euronews and The Rio Times, no casualties were immediately reported. The Rio Times added that the Panama Canal reported normal operations following the tremor. [1][4]

The US National Weather Service issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Al Jazeera reported that warnings were also extended to Chile, while The Rio Times reported that tsunami alerts reached nine Pacific nations in total. [1][2][4]