Lucrezia Ciotti A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama , causing moments of fear in the capital and triggering tsunami warnings along the coasts of seven countries. Authorities are monitoring the situation to assess the quake's possible effects and the risk of dangerous waves in the Pacific Ocean.
Earthquake in Panama: Strong 7.5-magnitude tremor strikes, sparking fear in the capital.
According to initial findings from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology ( INGV ), a powerful 7.5- magnitude earthquake struck southern Panama , triggering tsunami warnings along several coastal areas of Central and South America. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located approximately 14 kilometers southwest of Pitaloza Arriba , a community located in an isolated part of the country.
The strong tremor was also felt in the capital, Panama City , where, according to witnesses collected by Reuters and the Associated Press , buildings shook and many visibly worried residents took to the streets waiting for information on the consequences of the earthquake.
Earthquake in Panama: Tsunami warning, dangerous waves possible in seven countries
Following the earthquake, the U.S. tsunami warning system warned of the possibility of potentially dangerous waves along the coasts of Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico . The warning was issued as a precautionary measure due to the risk associated with the earthquake's effects on the sea.
Initial information released by international agencies and the USGS concerns the location and intensity of the earthquake and the tsunami risk; further official updates are needed to determine the extent of the damage and any casualties.
🔴🔴 [REVISED DATA] #earthquake Mwpd 7.5 at 19:56 IT on 09-10-2026 in Panama Depth = 9 Km #INGV_47492772 https://t.co/VcCXuyebQq
— INGVterremoti (@INGVterremoti) October 9, 2026