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3 clusters · 18 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Earthquakes and flooding in Panama

Overview

A powerful earthquake measuring between 7.5 and 7.7 magnitude struck Panama near the Tonosí district, causing significant casualties and widespread destruction. The seismic event resulted in at least two deaths and dozens of injuries, affecting over 37,000 individuals across ten provinces, including Coclé, Herrera, Veraguas, and the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca. The official death toll includes Elena Barría, who died from injuries caused by a collapsing wall, and Regina Miranda, who died following a fall during a school evacuation.

In the Veraguas province, the impact was severe for both residential and cultural infrastructure. In the district of Soná, the 1878 San Isidro Labrador church was completely destroyed, and the Basilica Menor San Miguel Arcangel de Atalaya suffered a total collapse of its tower. The Conference of the Panamanian Episcopate reported that over 100 Catholic churches were affected across several dioceses. Additionally, the earthquake destroyed 35 schools, leaving over 3,000 students without classrooms, while a total of 619 schools sustained damage. Authorities have conducted inspections of over 11,000 buildings to assess structural safety.

Recovery and humanitarian efforts are ongoing. SENAN has conducted over 329 flight hours via an air bridge, and aid including food and supplies is being distributed via air and land, with support from Costa Rica, the United States, Venezuela, and Kosovo. Approximately 5,628 people are currently residing in 126 active shelters.

Weather risks remain high. SINAPROC has issued a yellow alert for the Azuero Peninsula due to risks of heavy rain, landslides, and flooding. Despite the disaster, 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

Sinaproc · Los Santos · Veraguas · Panama · Felipe Chapman

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 15 sources
    Panama earthquake: 37,000 people affected by magnitude 7.7 quake

    A magnitude 7.5–7.7 earthquake in Panama has affected over 37,000 people, killed two, and damaged hundreds of schools and churches, prompting a massive humanitarian and reconstruction response.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Panama issues weather alerts amid earthquake recovery efforts

    Panama has issued yellow and green weather alerts for several provinces as authorities continue earthquake reconstruction and relief operations in Veraguas and Los Santos.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Veraguas province suffers heavy damage from Panama earthquakes

    Earthquakes in Panama's Veraguas province have destroyed colonial churches, damaged the Santiago municipal palace, and left dozens of homes destroyed, prompting large-scale recovery efforts.

Sources

centroamerica360.com · ciedupanama.org · croniosv.com · eldia.com.do · igopanama.com · mingob.gob.pa · mire.gob.pa · n.com.do · newsroompanama.com · noticias24hrs.com.ve · ondascentrales.com · panamanowonline.com · parroquiavirgendegracia.es · prensa-latina.cu · sinaproc.gob.pa · telesurenglish.net · tvn-2.com · uruguayaldia.com.uy

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history