Two strong earthquakes in Panama trigger evacuations, shake capital and southern provinces

Two powerful earthquakes struck Panama on Friday, including a magnitude 7.7 quake followed by a 6.6 tremor, setting off a wave of aftershocks that prompted evacuations across the country. The shaking damaged buildings near the epicenter and rattled the capital, Panama City, as emergency crews and residents assessed the impact.

The quakes affected a wide stretch of the country, from the southern region near the epicenter to Panama City and other populated areas. Tocumen International Airport, one of the region’s busiest airports, temporarily suspended operations and activated evacuation plans as authorities responded to the unfolding situation.

Panama sits along an active tectonic zone in Central America, where seismic activity is common. The country has not seen a major earthquake with widespread damage since 1991, making Friday’s sequence one of the most significant seismic events in decades.

Aftershocks continue as officials assess damage

Multiple aftershocks followed the initial quakes, including tremors measured at magnitude 5.8, 5.5 and 5.2. The repeated shaking added to concerns about damaged structures and the possibility of additional collapse in affected areas.

Photos and video from Panama City showed people gathering outside buildings and shopping areas after the quake, a sign of how quickly the event disrupted daily life in the capital. Reports of damage were concentrated closer to the epicenter, though authorities continued to monitor conditions in other parts of the country.

As of Friday evening, officials had not disclosed a complete damage tally or confirmed casualty figures. The scale of the destruction, along with the status of transport, utilities and public services, remained under review as emergency teams continued their response.