Key Facts
—Who. Residents of central Panama, mainly in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos provinces; no deaths reported so far.
—What. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake; early reports ranged from 8.0 to 7.6, and the reviewed USGS figure is 7.7.
—Where. About 12 km west-south-west of Pitaloza Arriba, in south-central Panama.
—When. 12:56 Panama time (17:56 UTC, 18:56 Lisbon) on Friday, 9 October 2026.
—Why it matters. Tsunami alerts cover nine Pacific countries, and media reports say the Panama Canal is operating normally.
—Status. As of 19:15 GMT on 9 October 2026.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama at 12:56 Panama time (17:56 UTC) on Friday, 9 October 2026, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says. The Panama tsunami alert covers Pacific coasts in nine countries, which matters to US travellers, expatriates and canal-linked trade.
What We Know
The USGS put the quake at magnitude 7.7, about 12 km west-south-west of Pitaloza Arriba in south-central Panama. The agency lists the depth at roughly 13 km, while other outlets report between 10 and 33 km.
The first alerts gave a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, and some outlets then reported 7.6. The reviewed USGS figure is 7.7, and the University of Panama’s Institute of Geosciences measured a preliminary 7.2.
The USGS issued a red alert on its PAGER system, which estimates likely damage and casualties. That is a computer model, not a damage report, and more than 400 people sent felt reports.
The US tsunami warning system warned of hazardous tsunami waves on coasts of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador.
Colombia’s disaster agency (UNGRD) said there was no tsunami threat to Colombia’s Pacific coast. El Salvador issued a moderate threat of waves up to 1 metre, according to El Universal (Mexico).
Omar Smith of Panama’s civil protection agency (Sinaproc) urged calm. He said damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos.
No damage was reported in Panama City, and Telemundo, RCN and El Litoral said no deaths or serious injuries had been reported. Hundreds of people left offices, shopping centres and homes in the capital and went to open areas such as the Cinta Costera, according to RCN.
El Litoral said images showed damage in Macaracas. We have not been able to verify those images ourselves.
Media reports say canal operations continue without reported effects. We have not yet seen a statement from the Panama Canal Authority itself.
Aftershocks followed the main quake. Colombia’s Geological Survey (SGC) listed three of magnitude 5.2, 5.5 and 5.8, according to El Tiempo.
The shaking was felt in neighbouring Costa Rica. It was also felt in the Colombian cities of Bogotá and Medellín, according to El Tiempo.
What Is Not Known
It is not confirmed whether the tsunami warnings have been lifted. No destructive waves had been reported by the time of writing.
Officials have not published a full damage assessment for Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos. Early casualty reports can change as rescue teams reach more areas.
The final magnitude and depth may still be revised. Reported depths already differ between the USGS and other outlets.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Media reports say the canal is running normally, which is the key point for shipping linked to the United States. The canal matters to US trade, though we have no figures on any delay today.
Background on the waterway is in our reports on canal neutrality, the 2026 cruise season and slot auctions. All our coverage is on the Panama country page.
US citizens in Panama should follow official channels from Panamanian authorities and the US embassy. Sinaproc and the tsunami warning centres are the places where any change in the alerts would appear.
The alerts also covered Costa Rica, El Salvador, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador. Readers on those coasts should follow local authorities for updates.
We will update this report as officials confirm more details. For now, the picture is strong shaking, no reported deaths and a canal that is running.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong was the Panama earthquake?
The USGS gives a magnitude of 7.7 for the quake at 12:56 Panama time (17:56 UTC) on 9 October 2026. Early estimates ranged from 8.0 to 7.6 before the review.
Is there a Panama tsunami alert?
The US tsunami warning system warned of hazardous waves on coasts in nine countries, including Panama. No destructive waves had been reported by the time of writing, and it is not confirmed whether the warnings were lifted.
Is the Panama Canal open?
Media reports say canal operations continue without reported effects. That is preliminary, and we have not seen a statement from the canal authority itself.
Were there deaths in the Panama earthquake?
No deaths or serious injuries had been reported by the time of writing. Damage was concentrated in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos provinces, and none was reported in Panama City.
Sources
USGS · El Tiempo · Telemundo · El Universal · Milenio · El Litoral · RCN
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief