A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026, shaking the capital and causing buildings to collapse. The quake struck at 1:56 p.m. near Pitaloza Arriba. Many strong aftershocks followed, including a 6.9-magnitude tremor. Officials said there is no tsunami threat, though the region faces ongoing risks from aftershocks.
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Panama Shaken by Large Earthquake and Its Aftershocks
The quake, which had a preliminary magnitude of 7.7, was centered in the country’s southern region.
Oct. 9, 2026Updated 7:24 p.m. ET
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 hit Panama on Friday, causing structures to collapse and shaking the capital of the Central American country, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and videos posted on social media.
The quake hit about 1:56 p.m. Eastern time, according to the U.S.G.S. It was centered about nine miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba.
A series of strong aftershocks struck in the following hours, including one at 4:25 p.m. that reached a preliminary magnitude of 6.9. Geologists said this was the primary risk for the region at the moment.
The main quake was felt as far away as Costa Rica, geologists said. But there is no threat of the quake triggering a tsunami in the immediate region, according to the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
The epicenter was on the Azuero Peninsula, a scenic outcropping that is a several-hour drive from Panama City, the country’s capital. While the peninsula is remote, its wildlife and beaches draw international tourism. In the seaside town El Venao, the El Sitio Hotel collapsed, according to Miguel Batista, the mayor of Pedasí, a town near the earthquake’s epicenter. Videos posted on social media showed damage to roads.
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