PANAMA CITY, October 9, 2026 — A powerful earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday afternoon, shaking buildings, forcing residents into the streets and triggering tsunami threat bulletins across parts of Central and South America’s Pacific coast.
Breaking: Magnitude 8.0 earthquake strikes Panama. https://t.co/F9cxxwxJYh
— PM Breaking News (@PMBreakingNews) October 9, 2026
🇵🇦🔴Videos ciudadanos muestran cómo se vivió el terremoto de magnitud de 8.0 en Panamá. El fuerte movimiento telúrico se sintió también en Colombia. Minuto a minuto: https://t.co/kt0YdUxVxA https://t.co/NrtlIceChh
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) October 9, 2026
The earthquake was initially estimated at magnitude 8.0 by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A separate assessment by the US Geological Survey placed it at magnitude 7.6, near Pitaloza Arriba in southern Panama.
Strong shaking was reported in Panama City, where people evacuated buildings as authorities began assessing the impact closer to the epicenter.
Where Did the Panama Earthquake Strike?
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at approximately 12:56 p.m. local time on October 9.
The epicenter was located near Pitaloza Arriba, close to Panama’s Azuero Peninsula. The USGS assessment placed the earthquake at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, while the initial tsunami-center estimate used a depth of 33 kilometers.
Magnitude and depth estimates can change as scientists examine additional seismic data.
In Panama City, residents reported buildings swaying and people moving outside during the shaking. Authorities also began evaluating possible damage in areas closer to the epicenter.
Early reports indicated damage to some structures in central Panama, although the complete extent of the destruction had not been independently established.
Tsunami Threat Issued for Pacific Coastal Countries
The earthquake also prompted a regional tsunami threat bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Early assessments identified possible threats affecting coastal areas of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico. Costa Rica was also mentioned in initial regional reporting.
However, a tsunami threat bulletin does not mean destructive waves have reached every coastline listed. The level of danger depends on sea-level observations, coastal geography and subsequent official assessments.
People living in potentially affected coastal areas should follow instructions from local emergency authorities and check the latest information through the US Tsunami Warning System.
Earthquake timeline — October 9, 2026:
- 12:56 p.m. Panama time: Major earthquake strikes near Pitaloza Arriba.
- Initial assessment: Pacific Tsunami Warning Center estimates magnitude 8.0.
- USGS assessment: A separate seismic record reports magnitude 7.6.
- 1:02 p.m. Panama time: Regional tsunami threat bulletin issued.
- Later Friday: Authorities assess possible damage as seismic monitoring continues.
Panama is located in a seismically active region where several tectonic plates interact. Strong earthquakes in this part of Central America can affect populated areas and, under certain conditions, generate dangerous sea-level disturbances.
For communities closest to the epicenter, the immediate concerns include damaged buildings, infrastructure safety and possible aftershocks.
Latest status: Official seismic records confirm a major earthquake near southern Panama and the issuance of a regional tsunami threat bulletin. A final verified casualty count and comprehensive damage assessment were not available in the initial reporting reviewed for this article.
This is a developing story. Earthquake measurements, tsunami assessments and reports of damage may be revised as new information becomes available.
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