{
  "id": 13235751,
  "title": "Panama rocked by 2 powerful earthquakes, multiple aftershocks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/panama-rocked-by-2-powerful-earthquakes-multiple-aftershocks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T22:10:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3370411/panama-rocked-2-powerful-earthquakes-multiple-aftershocks"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 magnitudes, shook Panama on Friday afternoon. The quakes, centered 10km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in central Herrera province, triggered a series of aftershocks. Buildings near the epicenter collapsed, prompting evacuations across the country. The first quake initially reported as magnitude 8, was later revised to 7.7. Panamanians expressed shock and fear, with residents in Herrera province gathering outside to await news of the earthquake's impact. Several aftershocks, including those measuring 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2, rattled the country. Seismologists recorded over 45 aftershocks, though many were too weak to be felt. Images of damaged structures and fissures in roads heightened concerns, particularly following a string of devastating earthquakes in the region. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino urged calm, emphasizing the need for composure. The National Civil Protection Service reported damage concentrated in central provinces, with minor injuries and a collapsed church in Los Santos. Tocumen International Airport suspended operations temporarily as a precaution. The Panama Canal Authority reported normal operations along the vital trade route. Nearby countries, including Colombia and Chile, offered support to Panama during these challenging times.",
  "summary": "Two powerful earthquakes struck Panama on Friday, measuring 7.7 and 6.6 in magnitude. The US Geological Survey reported that the earlier quake was centred about 10km southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, in the central part of the country.\n\nThe earthquakes caused damage to buildings near the epicentre and prompted evacuations across Panama. According to the US Geological Survey, about 4.6 million people felt moderate to severe shaking as a result of the quake. A series of weaker aftershocks followed the earthquakes, causing further concern.\n\nThe earthquakes also triggered a tsunami warning for neighbouring countries, including Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, and Mexico, according to the US Tsunami Warning System. The full extent of the damage and any potential casualties are not yet clear.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "🔴 Powerful 7.6 magnitude quake shakes Panama, triggering tsunami warning",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/powerful-7-6-magnitude-quake-shakes-panama-triggering-tsunami-warning",
        "published": "2026-10-09T18:41:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Powerful quake hits Panama, damages homes; canal operations normal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/powerful-quake-hits-panama-damages-homes-canal-operations-normal",
        "published": "2026-10-09T19:35:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Powerful quake hits Panama, damages homes; canal operations normal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/powerful-quake-hits-panama-damages-homes-canal-operations-normal-13194131",
        "published": "2026-10-09T19:41:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rock Panama",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/two-powerful-earthquakes-and-multiple-aftershocks-rock-panama-13244285",
        "published": "2026-10-09T22:47:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Two powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks rock Panama",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/two-powerful-earthquakes-and-multiple-aftershocks-rock-panama",
        "published": "2026-10-09T22:47:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}