Two powerful earthquakes striking southern Panama on Friday afternoon triggered coastal evacuations, shook high-rises in Panama City, and disrupted regional airports, though authorities reported no immediate deaths despite widespread infrastructural damage in central provinces.
Pitaloza Arriba Epicenter and Magnitude Revisions by the USGS
The seismic activity began with a massive tremor initially measured near magnitude 8 before the U.S. Geological Survey revised it to 7.6 and finally settled on a 7.7 magnitude centred about 10 kilometres southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province. Striking at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, the initial jolt sent deep fissures slicing through regional roadways and knocked items off shelves across the countryside.
A second powerful quake measuring magnitude 6.6 struck about two and a half hours later, with its epicenter located roughly 8 miles west of Río Grande on the Pacific coast at a depth of about 6 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Seismologists at the University of Panama recorded more than 45 aftershocks following the main events, featuring several notable magnitudes including 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2, though many were too weak for residents to feel.
https://x.com/NWS_NTWC/status/2108646503149645886
Impact Across Central Provinces and Panama City Evacuations
Omar Smith of the National Civil Protection Service stated that the worst of the damage concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. In the city of Penonomé, located around 93 miles from the capital, at least 27 people were injured, including one person struck by debris from a partially collapsed structure. Local reports also noted the collapse of the Church of San Atanasio, a colonial-style Catholic church in Los Santos province that was declared a National Historic Heritage Site in 1938.
In Panama City, hundreds of skyscrapers shook, sending visibly frightened residents pouring into streets and open plazas. We felt it very strongly. It knocked things over in the kitchen, but we’re okay, though we’re very scared,
Rosendo Dominguez, a 60-year-old resident from Herrera province, told The Associated Press by phone while waiting outside.
“Everyone is outside, scared.”
Rosendo Dominguez, resident of Herrera province
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino urged public restraint, writing on social media that what happened should not be used to cause alarm or disorder.
Mulino stated that authorities had not documented any fatalities as of Friday evening, though he cautioned that the situation might shift as rescue teams assess remote areas. Experts suggested that the country’s strict building codes, particularly those governing skyscraper construction in the capital, likely prevented a far higher casualty toll akin to recent devastating earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia.
Status of Tocumen International Airport and the Panama Canal
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, which handled more than 20 million travelers in 2025 and serves as one of the busiest aviation hubs in the region, temporarily suspended operations and activated evacuation plans following the initial tremor. Airport authorities permitted operations to resume later on Friday afternoon after completing safety checks.
Meanwhile, the Panama Canal Authority reported that shipping traffic along the global trade corridor continued operating normally. Specialized technical teams were dispatched to inspect lock facilities, infrastructure, and maritime equipment, prioritizing the safety of employees, vessels, and crews.
Pacific Coasts Receive Tsunami Warnings as US Offers Aid
The National Weather Service initially issued tsunami warnings for the Pacific coasts of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, projecting waves ranging from 3 to 9 feet above normal tide levels. Advisory alerts were also triggered as far away as Chile’s Easter Island before officials lifted all warnings across the Pacific basin.
International leaders quickly offered aid and expressed solidarity with Panama. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington was rapidly mobilizing resources and personnel to assist at the request of the Panamanian government. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella also reached out to offer immediate backing.
Panama is not alone!
Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia
Panama is not alone!" declared Abelardo de la Espriella, the President of Colombia, as his administration coordinated with other international partners to provide critical support for the disaster recovery.