{
  "id": 13676108,
  "title": "Powerful earthquake shakes Panama, followed by large aftershocks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/powerful-earthquake-shakes-panama-followed-by-large-aftershocks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T07:34:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Egypt Independent",
    "slug": "egypt-independent",
    "url": "https://www.egyptindependent.com/powerful-earthquake-shakes-panama-followed-by-large-aftershocks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A powerful earthquake with an initial magnitude of 7.7 struck southern Panama, according to the US Geological Survey. Although there have been no reports of fatalities or missing persons, several people suffered minor injuries and significant damage was reported across various structures, including homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses, and churches. The earthquake triggered 147 aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of 6.1 or 6.6. Civil protection authorities are awaiting the tremors to subside before conducting inspections of damaged buildings. The majority of the significant damage was reported in Coclé province on the southern coast, though some also affected the capital, Panama City. Footage verified by CNN showed damaged buildings in Penonome, a multi-story building collapsing in Playa Venao and shaking of the Centennial Bridge near the Panama Canal. The canal authority reported normal operations, with staff inspecting facilities for any damage. In Panama City, the public transit system suspended service on two metro lines and evacuated passengers from a few stations. The Education Ministry canceled classes nationwide for the day and the Panama's main international airport was briefly closed as a precaution. President José Raúl Mulino called for public calm, while mobilizing resources to those affected. He personally visited an affected hospital in Penonome where several patients had to be evacuated and treated outdoors. The US Tsunami Warning System initially warned of potential tsunami waves along some coasts, but later declared no threat. The US, Venezuela, and Colombia have all experienced powerful earthquakes this year, with Venezuela suffering over 6,400 deaths and Colombia around 300. Both Venezuela and Colombia have offered assistance to Panama in its response to the disaster.",
  "summary": "A major earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 has struck southern Panama, according to the US Geological Survey. Several people have suffered minor injuries but so far there are no reports of fatalities or missing persons, officials said. Various homes, roads, hotels, government buildings, businesses and churches have sustained structural damage, according to the … The post Powerful…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/13676108.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
        "title": "Panama Declares a State of Emergency as Powerful Quake Aftershocks Rattle Communities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/panama-declares-a-state-of-emergency-as-powerful-quake-aftershocks",
        "published": "2026-10-11T03:57:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Post",
        "title": "US withdraws Panama tsunami alert after powerful earthquakes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/us-withdraws-panama-tsunami-alert-after-powerful-earthquakes",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:59:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "‘It was a terrible thing’: Panama declares state of emergency as quake aftershocks rattle communities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/it-was-a-terrible-thing-panama-declares-state-of-emergency-as-quake",
        "published": "2026-10-11T06:56:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}