Panama Shaken by Major Quakes as Aftershocks Disrupt Communities

Panama faces aftershocks after two major earthquakes, prompting evacuations and raising concerns over building safety.

October 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — La Villa de los Santos, Panama — Unnerved residents of rural Panama awoke on the streets as aftershocks from two powerful earthquakes rattled their communities for hours.

The 7.7- and 6.6-magnitude quakes toppled buildings near the epicenter and led to widespread evacuations across the Central American country. Seismologists recorded dozens of aftershocks, including ones measuring magnitude 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2. The earlier quake was felt as far away as neighboring Colombia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Panamanian authorities had not reported any deaths, but several injuries were documented, including one person struck by debris in Penonomé. Damage was concentrated in central provinces, with homes and historical sites collapsing. The country’s strict building codes may have helped limit the toll, experts said.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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