A 7.6 Earthquake Just Hit Southern Panama, Here’s What to Do If You’re Travelling There This Week

Key facts

• A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near the southern tip of Panama on Friday 9 October 2026, per the US Geological Survey (some outlets carried 7.7; the first estimate of 8.0 was revised down)
• Epicentre about 10 km southwest of the remote community of Pitaloza Arriba, at a depth of 10 km
• The US tsunami warning system issued tsunami threats for Pacific coasts from Mexico to Peru
• Damage reported in Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos; officials reported none in Panama City, and no injuries had been reported when we checked

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit southern Panama on Friday morning, shook buildings in Panama City and triggered tsunami threat messages across Central and South America. If you are in Panama or flying through it this week, the short answer is that the capital looked undamaged in early reports, but this is a developing story and aftershocks are continuing.

What we know so far about the Panama earthquake

The quake struck about 10 km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, near Panama’s southern tip, at a depth of 10 km, according to the US Geological Survey as quoted by NBC. The first estimate was 8.0 and was revised to 7.6; at least one outlet now carries 7.7, so expect the number to be finessed again. It was felt in Panama City, where people left buildings, and in San José, Costa Rica.

Panama’s civil protection agency was still assessing damage near the epicentre. Reports pointed to damage in the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera and Los Santos, with objects knocked over in homes. No injuries had been reported in the coverage we reviewed. All of this is early and may change.

Is it safe to travel to Panama right now?

Early reports describe no damage in Panama City, so flights and hotels in the capital are the least likely to be affected, but nobody can promise that yet. The honest advice is to check three things before you go: your airline’s notice, your hotel’s confirmation, and your government’s travel advice (the US State Department, the UK FCDO or Australia’s Smartraveller).

The Pacific side of the country, and the central provinces named above, are the places to be most careful. Shallow quakes of this size are typically followed by strong aftershocks, and damaged roads can slow transfers even when the airport is fine.

A threat message is a precaution based on the earthquake’s size, not proof that a wave was generated. Follow local civil protection instructions rather than social media rumours.

What to do if you feel strong shaking on a coast

If shaking is strong or long and you are near the sea, move inland and uphill straight away; do not wait for an official siren. That is the standing guidance from tsunami warning agencies, because the first wave can arrive within minutes near the source.

• Drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops, then leave low-lying coastal areas on foot if you can.
• Go to high ground or the upper floors of a sturdy building, and stay there until local officials say it is over.
• Keep your phone charged, and message family once rather than calling, to keep networks free.

What you’re owed if your trip is disrupted

You are owed less than most people assume. Airlines generally treat a natural disaster as outside their control, so cash compensation for a delay is unlikely, but a cancelled flight still entitles you to a refund or a rebooking. On flights covered by EU or UK rules, the airline must also provide meals and a hotel while you wait, even when compensation does not apply.

Travel insurance is the safety net, and timing matters. Many policies exclude events that were already known when you bought the cover, so a policy bought today for a trip to Panama may not pay out for this quake. If you already hold a policy, keep receipts, screenshots of airline notices and the name of every person you speak to.

Cover photo: Rodolfo Quirós via Pexels (Pexels License). Section photos: Luis Quintero via Pexels (Pexels licence); Doruk Aksel Anıl via Pexels (Pexels licence); César+Mirna Choto via Pexels (Pexels licence); Max J via Pexels (Pexels licence); Josh Withers via Pexels (Pexels licence).