03 / 10
7.7 earthquake hits Panama
A major earthquake injured at least 27 people, disrupted services and prompted temporary tsunami alerts across the Pacific.
What happened
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama, damaging buildings and roads in central provinces. At least 27 people were injured, while schools and Tocumen International Airport temporarily closed. The Panama Canal continued operating. Tsunami alerts for Panama and other Pacific locations were later cancelled.
Numbers
- 7.7 magnitudeStrength of the main earthquake — Initial estimate was higher
- At least 27 injuredPeople reported with minor injuries — No deaths were reported
- More than 80 aftershocksAftershocks recorded after the main quake — One exceeded magnitude 6.0
Questions
- Was a tsunami recorded?
- No giant waves were recorded. Alerts issued for Panama and nine other countries, including Hawaii, were cancelled about two hours later.
- Why did flights stop?
- Tocumen International Airport evacuated passengers and paused operations while staff checked the terminal and air-traffic control tower for safety.
- How wide were the disruptions?
- Power outages were reported in six provinces, and part of Panama City’s public transport was suspended after the shaking.
- How unusual was this regionally?
- It was at least the fourth earthquake above magnitude 7.0 in Latin America this year, following major tremors in Venezuela and Colombia.
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The catch
A full assessment of structural damage and the timing of normal service resumption has not been published.
Early injury totals can change.