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Panama Earthquake, 9 October 2026: What We Know So Far
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Panama Earthquake, 9 October 2026: What We Know So Far

Oct 9, 2026(Updated: 2026-10-09)3 min read read

Updated: Friday, 9 October 2026, 9:48 pm ET

A major earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, 9 October 2026. Plan B Expat's thoughts are with everyone affected, in Panama and across the region.

What is known at the time of writing (Friday evening, Eastern time):

  • The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at magnitude 7.7, centred about 12 km west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama's southern Pacific coast, at a depth of about 12.6 km. Early estimates ranged from 7.6 to 8.0. USGS event page
  • Earthquakes this strong are rare in Panama. Notable earlier earthquakes in the wider area include a magnitude 7.5 in 1934 and a 7.2 in 1962, according to the USGS.
  • Reuters reports damaged homes in the Las Minas area, and videos it verified showing a damaged church and nearby buildings that collapsed in Penonomé. Schools are closed nationwide, and two Panama City Metro lines were briefly suspended. The Panama Canal Authority says the canal is operating normally. Reuters report
  • Aftershocks are continuing. A tsunami threat was issued for parts of the Pacific coast of Central and South America. Reuters later reported that the threat had passed, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. Reuters report Check official warnings at tsunami.gov.

    • If you are in Panama or travelling there:

  • Follow SINAPROC, Panama's civil protection agency, on its website (sinaproc.gob.pa) and on X (@Sinaproc_Panama). Updates are in Spanish. For an emergency in Panama, call 911.
  • Check with your airline before you travel. Local media reported that Tocumen International Airport, Panama's main international airport, temporarily suspended operations while its facilities were checked.
  • Canadians who need emergency help abroad can contact Global Affairs Canada by email at SOS@international.gc.ca, by phone at +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available) or on WhatsApp at +1 613 909 8881. Details Citizens of other countries should contact their embassy.

    • Plan B Expat clients with plans in Panama this month will hear from us directly.

    If you are considering Panama: today does not change how residency works. Government offices suspended operations today as a precaution, so some appointments may move, and Plan B Expat will tell clients directly if theirs are affected. Panama had already scheduled a national earthquake evacuation drill for Monday, 12 October. Where you live in Panama, and in what kind of building, is a separate choice from getting residency, and next week's guide covers how to weigh earthquake risk in that choice.

    This page will be updated as official information becomes clearer.

    ML

    Canadian founder of Plan B Expat and a permanent resident of both Panama and Paraguay. Holds an MBA from SKEMA Business School, France, is trilingual (English, French, Spanish), and spent 21 years as a licensed real estate broker in Quebec and Ontario. Writes from direct experience with the immigration, banking, and relocation systems of both countries.

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