Panama grapples with over 200 aftershocks following a 7.7 quake
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama, injuring at least 27 people, damaging nearly 900 homes and 14 bridges, with more than 200 aftershocks recorded.
Panama experienced a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday, triggering more than 200 aftershocks that are gradually decreasing in strength. While no deaths have been reported, at least 27 people were injured and almost 900 residences suffered damage, with the full extent still being evaluated in isolated communities. Infrastructure losses include 14 bridges across the provinces of Veraguas and Los Santos, prompting President Jose Raul Mulino to visit the sites and call for urgent road and bridge repairs.
An emergency declaration enables the government to allocate up to US$100 million for relief without exceeding its 2026 fiscal deficit target of 3.5% of GDP, according to the economy ministry. The United States has offered US$5 million in aid and sent a 20-person team to assist with rescue and infrastructure assessments. Nationwide school closures were ordered for Monday, but Panama Canal operations remained unaffected.
Why it matters
The quake threatens homes, transport links and the economy, requiring substantial relief and reconstruction efforts.
How this story developed
- Oct 9 Magnitude 7.6 quake strikes Panama, raising Pacific tsunami concerns
- Oct 10 A brief tsunami warning was issued and then lifted.
- Oct 10 A magnitude‑6.6 aftershock followed the main quake.
- Oct 10 The historic Church of San Atanasio in La Villa de Los Santos was reported collapsed.
- Oct 11 President Jose Raul Mulino visited the disaster zone and more than 100 aftershocks, including several of magnitude 6.0, were recorded.
In this story
Related stories
2 in this thread