A rare and powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday (October 9), causing building damage and sending thousands into the streets, though the country appears to have avoided widespread destruction or fatalities.

The United States Geological Survey reported the epicenter was located in a sparsely populated area about 200 kilometers from the capital at a depth of 12.6 kilometers. In the city of Penonome, located halfway between the epicenter and Panama City, several buildings collapsed including a hotel that fell onto parked cars, and a parish church tower was destroyed.

President Raul Mulino traveled to Penonome to assess the damage to the municipal government building and other structures. Despite dozens of aftershocks, the Panama Canal reported normal operations and Tocumen International Airport resumed flights after a brief suspension. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PENONOME, PANAMA (OCTOBER 9, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. PARISH WITH COLLAPSED TOWER

2. VARIOUS OF CAR DESTROYED BY CHURCH DEBRIS

3. VARIOUS OF DESTROYED CHURCH TOWER

4. VARIOUS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING DAMAGED AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

5. RESCUE WORKERS OBSERVING COLLAPSED HOTEL

6. VARIOUS OF HOTEL COLLAPSED ON TOP OF CARS

7. CORDON AROUND COLLAPSED HOTEL