Panama earthquake and heavy rains cause widespread damage

A powerful earthquake measuring between 7.5 and 7.7 magnitude struck Panama on October 9, 2026, with its epicenter northwest of the Tonosí district in Los Santos province. The seismic event resulted in at least one death, approximately 27 injuries, and over 13,000 affected individuals. More than 9,000 homes sustained damage, forcing thousands of citizens into temporary shelters.

Religious infrastructure suffered significant impact, with the Conference of the Panamanian Episcopate reporting that over 100 Catholic churches were affected. Two temples in the Diocese of Santiago de Veraguas—the San Isidro Labrador parish in Soná and the Minor Basilica of Jesús Nazareno in Atalaya—were classified as having total damage. Other regions, including the Dioceses of Penonomé, Chitré, and David, reported structural issues such as cracked walls, collapsed towers, and ground subsidence.

Following the earthquake, the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) issued a yellow alert due to heavy rainfall in areas already weakened by the tremor. The alert covers the Azuero Peninsula, specifically Soná, Mariato, and Tonosí, due to the heightened risk of river overflows, flooding, and landslides. Authorities have warned residents to avoid unstable slopes and crossing water currents as nearly 1,000 aftershocks continue to affect the region.