Panama shaken by 7.7‑magnitude quake, widespread evacuations underway

On Friday morning, a 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba on Panama’s southern coast, sending tremors through the capital and triggering mass evacuations, a tsunami warning and a wave of aftershocks that rattled the country for hours. While no deaths have been confirmed, dozens of buildings collapsed or sustained serious damage, roads collapsed, and power was cut in six provinces.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicentre lay roughly 10 km (6 miles) southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, at a depth of about 10 km. The initial magnitude was revised from an early estimate of 8.0 to 7.7 after a detailed analysis. A second shock, measuring 6.6, struck 2½ hours later, 8 km west of Río Grande on the Pacific coast.

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A 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocks Panama

Residents in Panama City—some 200 km (120 miles) from the epicentre—saw skyscrapers sway and evacuated into the streets. “We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared,” said 60‑year‑old Rosendo Domínguez of Herrera, speaking to the Associated Press by phone.

In the immediate aftermath, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that shipping through the canal remained unaffected, with 90 vessels awaiting transit. The authority also said it was inspecting facilities for damage, prioritising the safety of employees, vessels and crews.

Tocumen International Airport briefly suspended flights before reopening later that afternoon. Damage reports came in from central provinces. The National Civil Protection Service, led by Omar Smith, said the worst hit areas were Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. Smith noted a partially collapsed cathedral in Penonomé, a damaged governor’s office and a collapsed hotel in Coclé. Local news outlets reported that the Church of San Atanasio, a colonial‑style Catholic church in Los Santos and a National Historic Heritage Site, collapsed entirely.

“The disaster we are facing is massive. We have roads that have completely collapsed.”

President José Raúl Mulino, via X

Health Minister Fernando Boyd said the most affected provinces were Herrera, Coclé and Los Santos, and that the town of Tonosi in Los Santos was cut off by road, making air transport the only option.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially issued a warning for the eastern Pacific, including Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador and Hawaii. The warning was lifted later that afternoon after no significant waves were detected.

Seismologists at the University of Panama recorded more than 45 aftershocks, the strongest of which measured 5.8. A total of 80 aftershocks, including one above magnitude 6.0, were logged by the local geosciences institute.

International leaders sent messages of solidarity. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella wrote on X, “Panama is not alone! You can count on Colombia’s support and our full willingness to provide whatever assistance is needed.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also posted that he was “closely monitoring” the situation and mobilising resources at the Panamanian government’s request.

The National Civil Protection System is continuing damage assessments and coordinating relief. The Panama Canal Authority maintains normal operations, while Tocumen International Airport remains open with ongoing safety checks. The U.S. Embassy in Panama is monitoring the welfare of its citizens.