Panama Takes a Powerful Hit
A powerful earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, shaking the Pacific side of the country and prompting a regional tsunami warning. The quake was initially estimated at magnitude 8.0, but the U.S. Geological Survey later revised it to 7.7. Its epicenter was located 12 kilometers west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama. The earthquake struck shortly before 1 p.m. local time, according to the Panama president’s office. More than a dozen aftershocks were recorded in its aftermath.
Tsunami Warning Covered Nine Countries
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System said potentially hazardous tsunami waves were possible over the next few hours along some coasts in Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The warning put coastal communities across the region on alert while officials monitored conditions.
Damage Reports Remained Limited
Initial reports said there were no immediate reports of injuries, although some buildings were damaged. Officials continued assessing the impact as aftershocks followed the main earthquake.
Videos Captured the Quake as It Happened
Videos shared on social media showed how quickly the earthquake disrupted daily life. One post said the preliminary 7.7-magnitude quake interrupted a live sports program in Santiago, a city about 60 kilometers from the epicenter. Another video showed panic and the preventive evacuation of the San Miguelito Metro station as authorities evaluated possible damage.
#PANAMÁ: Terremoto de magnitud preliminar 7.7 interrumpe -en vivo- un programa deportivo en la ciudad de #Santiago 🇵🇦, a 60 km de distancia del epicentro.📍
Fuente: USGS.
Video: Deportes RPC. pic.twitter.com/Q8vkPwvQ7p— 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗧 (@Asismet_IF) October 9, 2026
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