7.7 Earthquake Hits Panama, Dozens Injured, Emergency Declared

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama Friday, triggering widespread panic and damage across the Central American nation. The tremor, followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, led authorities to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams worked to assess the full extent of the destruction.

The epicenter was located in the sparsely populated southern region of the country, roughly 200 kilometers from the capital, Panama City. The quake's shallow depth, estimated at just 12.6 kilometers, amplified the intensity of the shaking felt across wide areas of the country.

7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama (Photo: social media)

Residents in cities throughout Panama reported violent shaking, and high-rise buildings in the capital swayed sharply, forcing the evacuation of office towers and apartment blocks. Several provinces experienced power outages, traffic disruptions, and damage to roads and structures.

Among the damaged landmarks was the historic San Atanasio Church, where portions of the structure collapsed. Schools, hotels, public buildings, bridges and water facilities also sustained damage. According to reports published October 10, more than 400 buildings were affected, including homes and educational institutions.

Authorities reported at least 27 injuries, and approximately 300 people were evacuated from their homes or from damaged buildings. Initial reports indicated no fatalities. Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations but later resumed flights. Shipping traffic through the Panama Canal continued without interruption.

Numerous aftershocks rattled the region, some reaching significant magnitudes. On October 10 and 11, additional tremors measuring between 4.0 and 5.0 were recorded, and local teams continued monitoring seismic activity.

Business as usual — vendors in Panama amid the chaos (Photo: social media)

In response to the scale of the damage, authorities declared a state of emergency to facilitate ongoing relief efforts and infrastructure restoration. Several countries offered assistance, and the United States announced $5 million in aid and the deployment of rescue teams to support recovery operations.