{
  "id": 13511297,
  "title": "Panama Declares State of Emergency After 7.7 Quake",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/panama-declares-state-of-emergency-after-7-7-quake",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T18:51:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/panama-state-of-emergency-earthquake-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday 10 October, Panama's government declared a state of emergency following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the Pacific side of the country the previous day. The emergency declaration allows ministries and public bodies to redirect funds and personnel to the disaster zone without the usual bureaucratic delays. This is a critical measure as US travellers and companies may experience significant disruptions to Panama's airport, roads, and public transport for several days. The government expects the state of emergency to cover spending up to US$100 million, though no official decree has been published in the Official Gazette as of the evening of Saturday.\n\nPresident José Raúl Mulino, a conservative lawyer who has led Panama since July 2024, convened his cabinet on Saturday morning to announce the decision. Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac stated that all ministers and institutions must have the resources to provide solidarity aid to those affected. A three-person commission, comprising Orillac, Canal Affairs Minister José Ramón Icaza, and Vice Minister Virna Luque, has been tasked with steering the aid and repair work. This commission will also coordinate the reconstruction of damaged buildings.\n\nThe emergency has been triggered for spending of up to US$100 million, though the figure was not confirmed by an official source and the decree has not yet appeared in the Official Gazette. The government opened Parque Omar in Panama City as a collection center for donations, with each provincial governor's office also receiving aid. As of Saturday, there were no reported deaths, but about 27 people were injured with light to moderate wounds, taken to hospitals. Sinaproc, the national civil protection agency, reported over 426 damaged homes, ranging from cracks to total collapse, and 21 damaged health facilities. Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas have the most affected areas, while Isla Cañas witnessed about 300 people being relocated to safety after the sea level rose.\n\nThe Education Ministry counted 188 affected schools, a number that may increase. The University of Panama's Geosciences Institute initially measured the main shock at magnitude 7.5, northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province, with a strike at 12:56 p.m. (1:56 p.m. ET). The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.7. As of Saturday afternoon, more than 170 aftershocks had been recorded, with seven occurring within the first 20 hours, each measuring above magnitude 6. US military personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo are providing assistance, including three round trips with tents and supplies to the Azuero peninsula.",
  "summary": "Panama's Cabinet declared a state of emergency on Saturday 10 October after Friday's 7.7 quake, which injured 27 people and damaged over 426 homes. The post Panama Declares State of Emergency After 7.7 Quake appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Panama declares a state of emergency as powerful quake aftershocks rattle communities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/panama-declares-a-state-of-emergency-as-powerful-quake-aftershocks",
        "published": "2026-10-10T16:18:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}