The Preliminary Numbers Have Been Reported from the Earthquake – 11,460 People Affected and 1,250 Homes Damaged.
On Friday, October 9, 2026, Panama registered a magnitude 7.5 earthquake at 12:56 pm, according to the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Panama. The epicenter was located 39 kilometers northwest of Tonosí, in the province of Los Santos.
On Tuesday Oct 13, the minister for Panama Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza reported that the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN) of Sinaproc, The National Civil Protection System has registered that 11,460 people were affected and 1,250 homes were damaged. In addition 27 people sustained minor or moderate injuries in the affected areas. So far, no fatalities or missing persons have been reported. The greatest impact was felt in the provinces of Veraguas, Los Santos, Herrera, Coclé and Chiriquí.
The count of damaged buildings also includes 600 official educational centers, 90 government buildings in addition to the damaged homes. Damage was sustained to roads, bridges and basic services
The return to classes in the public sector in the heavily damaged provinces will be phased in at schools that meet the necessary safety conditions. More information will be communicated through the Ministry of Education channels.
