{
  "id": 13306995,
  "title": "Panama Rocked by 2 Powerful Earthquakes and Multiple Aftershocks, Prompting Evacuations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/panama-rocked-by-2-powerful-earthquakes-and-multiple-aftershocks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T01:45:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/news-services/ap/20261010-353008/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two powerful earthquakes struck southern Panama on Friday afternoon, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 6.6, followed by a series of aftershocks. The epicenter was located about 6 miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, a remote community in the central province of Herrera. The initial quake was initially reported as magnitude 8, but later revised to 7.6 and then 7.7. Residents of Panama City, Panama's capital, gathered outside in fear after feeling the quake's strong tremors. Rosendo Domínguez, a resident from Herrera province, reported feeling the earthquake strongly and expressed fear for their safety. Multiple aftershocks, including several measuring magnitudes 5.8, 5.5, and 5.2, continued to shake Panama throughout the day. Despite the severity of the quakes, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino confirmed that no deaths had been reported as of Friday evening, though he cautioned that the number could change in the coming hours. The country's strict building codes, particularly for skyscrapers in the capital, may have contributed to the lower death toll compared to previous devastating earthquakes in neighboring countries. Damage was primarily concentrated in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos, with several injuries reported, including one person struck by debris in Penonomé, about 93 miles from the capital. Notable buildings affected include the Cathedral in Penonomé's main square and the Dos Continentes hotel. The Church of San Atanasio, a colonial-style site since 1938, collapsed entirely. Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations but later reopened. The Panama Canal Authority reported that operations were continuing normally along the global trade route. Seismologists recorded over 45 aftershocks, although many were too weak to be felt. While earthquakes are common in Panama due to its tectonic plate interactions, the country's strong building codes appear to have played a role in limiting casualties and damage compared to recent disasters in neighboring countries.",
  "summary": "PANAMA CITY (AP) — Two powerful 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude earthquakes and a series of aftershocks roiled southern Panama Friday afternoon, collapsing buildings near the epicenter and prompting evacuations across the country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Panama rocked by 2 powerful earthquakes and multiple aftershocks, prompting evacuations",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/panama-rocked-by-2-powerful-earthquakes-and-multiple-aftershocks-13316810",
        "published": "2026-10-10T03:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}