Major earthquake hits Panama, prompting regional tsunami alerts and building evacuations

The short version

• A powerful earthquake, measured between magnitude 7.6 and 7.7 by the USGS, struck near Pitaloza Arriba in southern-central Panama.[France 24 · The Guardian · Associated Press]
• Workers and residents evacuated buildings across Panama City, while regional agencies issued tsunami alerts along Pacific coastlines.[France 24 · The Guardian · Deutsche Welle · Associated Press]
• Structural damage was reported in central provinces, including a damaged cathedral in Penonomé, though the Panama Canal continued regular operations.[The Guardian · Deutsche Welle · Associated Press]
• No casualties were immediately reported, and officials are assessing the full extent of damage.[Fox News · France 24 · Associated Press]

Key facts

• The US Geological Survey initially recorded an earthquake of magnitude 8 before revising it to 7.6 and 7.7.[France 24 · Associated Press]
• The epicenter was located near the community of Pitaloza Arriba in southern-central Panama.[France 24 · The Guardian · Associated Press]
• Tsunami warnings and alerts were issued by US monitoring systems for multiple Pacific coastlines in Central and South America.[France 24 · Deutsche Welle · Associated Press]
• Civil protection authorities reported that structural damage was focused in Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos, with no damage reported in Panama City.[Associated Press]
• Footage from Penonomé documented building damage, including a collapsed cathedral and a damaged hotel facade.[The Guardian · Associated Press]
• The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that normal operations continued and no initial damage was observed.[Deutsche Welle]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• 🔴 Powerful 7.6 magnitude quake shakes Panama, triggering tsunami warningFrance 24
• Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits Panama and triggers tsunami warningsThe Guardian - World
• A magnitude 7.7 earthquake shakes Panama, prompting evacuationsAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
• Strong earthquake shakes Panama, prompting tsunami alertDeutsche Welle
• Massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Panama as officials investigate potential tsunami threatFox News - World News
• A 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocks PanamaNBC News - Top Stories
• Tsunami warnings across Latin America after 7.7 magnitude earthquake hitsAl Jazeera
• Powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hits Panama, damaging buildingsBBC News - World
• Panama struck by magnitude 7.7 earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey saysCBS News - Top Stories
• Major earthquake strikes Panama—damage and injuries are expectedScientific American metered
• Strong earthquakes shake Panama, buildings damagedDeutsche Welle
• Unnerved Panamanians sleep in streets as aftershocks rattle quake-hit townsABC News - International
• Unnerved Panamanians sleep in streets as aftershocks rattle quake-hit townsAssociated Press
• ‘It was a terrible thing’: Panama declares state of emergency as quake aftershocks rattle communitiesThe Guardian - World