A major 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast Friday, sending strong tremors through Panama City as authorities assessed whether coastal areas faced a tsunami threat.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the quake at magnitude 8.0 before revising it to 7.7. The earthquake hit at 1:56 p.m. ET at a depth of about 7.8 miles near Pitaloza Arriba, Panama.
A magnitude 5.5 aftershock was reported soon afterward, with its epicenter located roughly 50 miles east of the main quake.
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People gather outside the maternity ward at Santo Tomas Hospital after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama City on Oct. 9, 2026. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
The shaking was felt in Panama City and reached San José, the capital of neighboring Costa Rica, Reuters reported.
Tsunami authorities said some coastal sections of Panama could see waves rising 3 to 10 feet above normal tide levels. Parts of Ecuador were also warned of waves measuring about 1 to 3 feet.
Forecasts called for smaller waves—less than 1 foot above tide levels—along the coasts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.
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Medical personnel and patients wait outside a hospital following a powerful earthquake in Panama on Oct. 9, 2026. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday on X that the State Department was quickly deploying resources and personnel to support Panama at the request of its government. Rubio said the United States was closely tracking the situation and urged Americans who need help to contact the department’s 24-hour consular hotline at +1-202-501-4444 from overseas or +1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama said it was evaluating possible damage while working to confirm the safety and locations of American visitors and embassy staff. The embassy also encouraged U.S. citizens in Panama to register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at STEP.State.gov and monitor its social media channels for updates.
Although officials warned of possible danger for communities near the coast, they said the earthquake was not expected to produce a tsunami across the Pacific.
According to Michigan Technological University, earthquakes with magnitudes between 7.0 and 7.9 have the potential to cause significant damage.
Authorities had not immediately released details about damage, injuries or deaths linked to Friday’s earthquake.
People assemble in a Panama City plaza after leaving a building following a powerful earthquake. (Arnulfo Franco/AFP via Getty Images)
This is a developing story; check back for additional updates.
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