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Panama declares a state of emergency after the quake

Panama's Cabinet declared a state of emergency on Saturday 10 October, a day after the earthquake centred northwest of Tonosí, Los Santos (magnitude 7.7 per the USGS; Sinaproc gives 7.5). Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac announced it after a Cabinet meeting and said the declaration allows up to $100 million for the response (Telemetro, EFE via Infobae). We had not seen the decree in the Gaceta Oficial when this was published.

The official picture so far

  • 27 people injured (minor to moderate), no deaths reported, according to the official tally presented at Saturday's press conference (Telemetro, EFE).
  • More than 426 homes assessed with damage, from minor to total loss.
  • 419 schools affected, according to the emergency operations centre (COE) on Saturday; Education Minister Ventura Vega gave a similar figure. MEDUCA's first count, on Friday night, was 188 (La Prensa).
  • 21 health facilities affected and being checked by structural engineers (Telemetro). Separately, Sinaproc's René García said 13 hospitals had damage (Noticias RCN).
  • Nine bridges damaged; crews reopening roads to Torrio, Quebro and Arenas.
  • About 300 people evacuated from Isla Cañas after the sea level rose; the government says they are being sheltered and receiving aid.
  • Hardest hit: Coclé, Los Santos, Herrera and Veraguas, with damage also in Colón, Panamá, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro and indigenous comarcas (La Prensa).
  • A commission will coordinate aid and reconstruction. Economy Minister Felipe Chapman said Panama has the funds to respond.

Aftershocks

  • The Geosciences Institute of the University of Panama (IGC-UP) said on Saturday morning that its automatic system had logged 170 aftershocks in the first 20 hours (TVN). Its public catalogue listed 168 aftershocks in the quake zone by 4:08 p.m. on Saturday, five of them magnitude 6 or above (6.9, 6.6, 6.2, 6.1 and 6.1), and nearly half of the entries were still preliminary (IGC-UP, checked at 4:19 p.m. on Saturday).
  • The USGS, which only lists larger events, had recorded 51 aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or more by Saturday afternoon, two of them 6.0 or above. The two agencies count differently (USGS).

What it means for expats

  • If you live in Azuero, Coclé or Veraguas, report damage to Sinaproc (520-4429 or 911) so your home enters the official count.
  • Expect road closures and slower deliveries in the interior this week.
  • Aftershocks are still likely. Keep a go bag and know your building's exit.
  • Emergency spending can speed up local repairs, but watch for official aid channels only and ignore unverified fundraising.
  • Want to help? The government is collecting donations at Parque Omar in San Francisco and at each provincial governorate (Crítica).

Sources

  • Telemetro - Orillac: emergency up to $100M; COE 419 schools; 21 health sites - 10 Oct 2026
  • EFE via Infobae - National emergency to channel up to $100 million; at least 27 injured, no deaths recorded - 10 Oct 2026
  • TVN - Cabinet declares state of emergency; 27 injured, 21 health facilities, 426 homes, Isla Cañas evacuation - 10 Oct 2026
  • Crítica - Parque Omar and provincial governorates take donations - 10 Oct 2026
  • Newsroom Panama - Reconstruction commission, Isla Cañas evacuation - 10 Oct 2026
  • La Prensa - MEDUCA's first count of 188 schools; province-by-province Sinaproc damage report - 10 Oct 2026
  • Noticias RCN - Sinaproc's René García: 13 hospitals with damage - 10 Oct 2026
  • TVN - IGC-UP: 170 aftershocks in the first 20 hours - 10 Oct 2026
  • IGC-UP - Earthquake catalogue: 168 aftershocks in the quake zone, five of magnitude 6 or above - checked 10 Oct 2026, 4:19 p.m. Panama
  • USGS - Catalogue search: 51 aftershocks of magnitude 2.5 or more, two of 6.0 or above - checked 10 Oct 2026, 4:18 p.m. Panama