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Panama Rocked: Twin Quakes Strike, Buildings Collapse
9 Oct
Summary
- A second 6.6 magnitude earthquake followed a powerful 7.7 magnitude quake in Panama.
- Buildings collapsed in central provinces, with one historic church destroyed.
- Tsunami warnings were issued for Panama and several nearby Central American countries.
A second powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026, following a major 7.7 magnitude tremor that caused buildings to collapse and prompted evacuations. The initial quake was centered near Pitaloza Arriba in the Herrera province and was felt as far as Colombia.
Damage was concentrated in Panama's central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. Several injuries were reported, and structures including the cathedral in Penonomé and the historic Church of San Atanasio in Los Santos province suffered damage or collapse. Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations, while the Panama Canal Authority reported normal operations.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, with potential wave heights of 1 to 3 meters. Alerts also extended to El Salvador and Easter Island. President Mulino urged citizens to remain calm as numerous aftershocks, some measuring over magnitude 5.0, continued to rattle the country.
