Panama Declares State of Emergency After 7.7 Quake

DISASTER · PANAMA

Panama’s government declared a state of emergency on Saturday 10 October, a day after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit its Pacific side. The Panama state of emergency frees up money and staff for repairs to homes, schools and hospitals. For US travellers and companies, it signals that disruption at Panama’s airport, roads and public transport may last for days, not hours.

Juan Carlos Orillac, the minister of the presidency, announced the decision after President José Raúl Mulino met his cabinet on Saturday morning. Mulino, a conservative lawyer, has led Panama since July 2024.

“All ministers and institutions must be available and have the resources for solidarity aid to everyone affected,” Orillac said, according to La Estrella de Panamá. He said help would be organised as officials learn what each community needs.

This is a follow-up to our earlier reports, Panama Hit by 7.7 Quake, Tsunami Alert Issued and US Mobilizes Help After 7.7 Panama Quake.

What the Emergency Declaration Does

The decree lets ministries and public bodies redirect funds and people to the disaster zone without the usual delays. Mulino ordered a three-person commission to steer the aid and the repair work.

Its members are Orillac, Canal Affairs Minister José Ramón Icaza and Vice Minister Virna Luque, La Estrella reported. La Prensa said the commission will also coordinate the reconstruction of damaged buildings.

The newspaper Panamá América and the news site Infobae reported that the emergency covers spending of up to US$100 million. Neither named an official source for the figure, and no decree had appeared in the Official Gazette by Saturday evening.

The government opened Parque Omar in Panama City as a collection centre for donations. Each provincial governor’s office will also receive aid. Consumer agency

Damage So Far

Malitzie Rivera, deputy director-general of Sinaproc, the national civil protection agency, gave the latest count at Saturday’s press conference. No deaths had been reported.

About 27 people were injured, with light to moderate wounds, and taken to hospitals. Sinaproc had inspected more than 426 homes with damage ranging from cracks to total collapse. Twenty-one health facilities were also hit.

Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas have the most damaged homes. On Isla Cañas, off the Pacific coast, about 300 people were moved to safety after the sea rose. The Education Ministry counted 188 affected schools on Friday evening, a figure that may rise.

The University of Panama’s Geosciences Institute puts the main shock at magnitude 7.5, northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province. It struck at 12:56 p.m. on Friday (1:56 p.m. ET). The US Geological Survey measured it at 7.7.

The institute had recorded more than 170 aftershocks by Saturday afternoon, about seven an hour in the first 20 hours. Four were above magnitude 6: 6.9, 6.5, 6.2 and 6.1. It said aftershocks may continue for several weeks along a fault running about 230 kilometres west towards Coiba Island.

US Help on the Ground

A US military CH-47 Chinook from Joint Task Force-Bravo began flying tents and supplies to the Azuero peninsula on Saturday, TVN reported. Captain Daniel Betancourt, the US defence attaché in Panama, said three round trips were planned from Panamá Pacífico airport.

He also said at least 20 US search-and-rescue and structural-assessment specialists from Virginia and California were due to arrive.

What It Means for You

Tocumen International Airport, the hub of NYSE-listed Copa Airlines, stays open. However, it stops all take-offs and landings each time an aftershock is felt, then inspects runways before restarting. The airport warned this may cause new delays, so travellers should check with their airline.

In Panama City, Metro Lines 1 and 2 stayed shut on Saturday morning while engineers inspected the system. No restart time has been given.

Americans in Panama can follow US Embassy alerts and the State Department’s Smart Traveler programme. Investors should watch for a cost estimate, since the emergency spending will add to Panama’s public debt.

What Is Not Known

The government has not given a full damage bill or confirmed the budget behind the Panama state of emergency. It is also unclear how many families are homeless, as Sinaproc’s housing count is still rising.

Officials have not said when schools or the Metro will reopen. Damage counts from rural areas of Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas are still coming in, so the toll may change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Panama declare a state of emergency?

The Panama state of emergency was approved by the Cabinet Council on Saturday 10 October. It lets ministries move money and staff quickly to communities hit by Friday’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

How many people were hurt in the Panama earthquake?

Sinaproc, the civil protection agency, reported about 27 injured and no deaths by Saturday. It counted more than 426 damaged homes and 21 damaged health facilities.

Is it safe to fly to Panama after the earthquake?

Tocumen airport is operating, but it pauses flights after each felt aftershock to inspect runways. Delays are likely, so travellers should check flight status with their airline.

Sources: TVN, Gobierno decreta estado de emergencia; La Prensa, Consejo de Gabinete tras el terremoto; La Estrella de Panamá, Gobierno declara estado de emergencia; Panamá América, Estado de Emergencia, monto hasta $100 millones; TVN, Sinaproc balance; TVN, Instituto de Geociencias, 170 réplicas; TVN, EEUU envía ayuda a Azuero; TVN, Protocolo en Tocumen; Telemetro, Metro suspendido; La Estrella de Panamá, Sinaproc reporta 27 lesionados y más de 426 residencias; Infobae, Estado de Emergencia y $100 millones.

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