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Panama earthquake: 37,000 people affected by magnitude 7.7 quake
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude between 7.5 and 7.7 struck Panama on October 9, 2026, at 12:56 local time. The epicenter was located approximately 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí in the Los Santos province at a depth of 4 to 10 kilometers.
According to the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), the disaster has affected 37,210 people across ten provinces and the Ngäbe Buglé comarca, with Coclé, Herrera, Veraguas, and Los Santos being the most impacted. The official death toll has risen to two: Elena Barría, who died from injuries caused by a collapsing wall, and Regina Miranda, who died following a fall during a school evacuation.
Infrastructure damage is extensive, including 120 affected health centers, 619 damaged schools, and over 100 Catholic churches. Specifically, 35 schools were destroyed, leaving 3,031 students without classrooms. Authorities have evaluated over 11,000 homes and buildings to determine structural safety.
Humanitarian efforts are underway, with 126 active shelters housing 5,628 people. International aid has been received from Kosovo, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and the United States. Despite the damage, Panama's Ministry of Economy and Finance maintains a GDP growth forecast of 4.5% to 5.5% for 2026, noting that reconstruction investments may offset short-term losses.
Entities
Azuero Peninsula · Conference of the Panamanian Episcopate · Felipe Chapman · Hideki Miyamoto · Los Santos · Ministry of Economy and Finance · Ministry of Education (Meduca) · National Civil Protection System · Panama · Sinaproc
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sinaproc issued a yellow alert for heavy rains in the Azuero Peninsula. www.noticias24hrs.com.ve
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least two people have died as a direct result of the earthquake. n.com.do · www.noticias24hrs.com.ve · eldia.com.do
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 100 Catholic churches suffered damage. parroquiavirgendegracia.es
- [● 3 SOURCES] Over 37,000 people have been affected by the earthquake. www.prensa-latina.cu · www.sinaproc.gob.pa · www.telesurenglish.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities evaluated nearly 10,000 buildings within ten days of the event. centroamerica360.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The earthquake magnitude was recorded between 7.5 and 7.7. centroamerica360.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy · www.prensa-latina.cu · www.telesurenglish.net
- [● 8 SOURCES] An earthquake occurred in Panama on October 9, 2026, at 12:56 local time. uruguayaldia.com.uy · centroamerica360.com · www.sinaproc.gob.pa · parroquiavirgendegracia.es · n.com.do · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The earthquake destroyed 35 schools, affecting 3,031 students. croniosv.com