A magnitude 7.7 earthquake shakes Panama, prompting evacuations
October 9, 2026
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A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama on Friday morning, shaking buildings in the capital, prompting evacuations and sending tremors as far as neighboring Colombia.
The quake was centered about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, in the central province of Herrera, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). USGS initially reported the quake as magnitude 8, then revised it to 7.6 and later to 7.7.
Visibly shaken residents of Panama City gathered outside as they waited for news of the quake’s impact on Friday. Aftershocks followed, with the USGS recording two measuring 5.8 and 5.5.
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