Powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits Panama and triggers tsunami warnings

The quake caused buildings and roads to collapse but the country appeared to escape widespread destruction or deaths A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama on Friday, damaging buildings and sending thousands into the streets, but the country appeared to escape widespread destruction or deaths. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the ⁠earthquake hit at a depth of ⁠12.6km (7.8 miles), with an epicenter i

Guardian staff and agencies October 9, 2026 · 9:29 PM 1 MIN READ

Hazardous waves are possible in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck Panama and triggered tsunami warnings along the west coast of Central and South America, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake hit along the southern coast of the country, the USGS said. It was centered near the southern tip of the Central American country, about 14km (9 miles) south-west of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, the USGS said.