What happened
A major earthquake struck Panama on October 9, 2026. The reviewed USGS record places the magnitude 7.7 earthquake 12 km west-southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, at 12:56 p.m. Panama time (17:56 UTC), about 12.6 km deep.
PTWC message 3, issued at 18:51 UTC, forecasts possible waves of 1–3 meters above tide level along some Panama coasts. It forecasts less than 0.3 meters for the other listed coasts, including Ecuador and Colombia. These are forecasts, not measured wave heights. National and local authorities decide their alerts and instructions. A separate U.S. bulletin states no tsunami danger for the U.S. West Coast, British Columbia or Alaska.
This report includes brief, attributed excerpts of an RPC sports broadcast, people outside buildings, and a repost labeled Penonomé showing damage. Camera locations and the full extent of damage in the reposts have not been independently verified by Newstro. No confirmed casualty total is presented. The archival photographs do not show the current earthquake or tsunami.
Information reflects the cited October 9 bulletins and reviewed event record; estimates and alerts may change. Follow official national and local emergency updates.
Every statement is attributed to the cited reporting. Visuals marked “file photo” or “illustrative” do not depict the events described unless stated.