Stories
Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Panama Following Earlier 7.7 Quake
- •An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Panama in the early hours of Tuesday at a depth of 10 km.
- •The latest tremor follows a major 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Panama on Friday, triggering numerous aftershocks.
- •Panama declared a state of emergency to coordinate relief efforts, manage resources, and assist affected communities.
- •External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed solidarity with Panama, offering prayers for those injured and affected.
- •Authorities reported structural damage to homes, schools, and public buildings, though no fatalities have been recorded.
Key Questions Answered
An earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck Panama in the early hours of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 4:50 am IST. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the tremor had a depth of 10 km and was located at latitude 7.683 North and longitude 81.405 West.
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief efforts, assist affected communities, and ensure government agencies had the required resources. President Jose Raul Mulino ordered the formation of a commission to manage relief operations, and donation collection centres were established across the country.
The earlier 7.7 magnitude earthquake damaged homes, schools, health facilities, roads, hotels, businesses, and churches across several parts of Panama. The most significant damage occurred in Coclé province, while public transit suspended services on two metro lines and the main international airport temporarily closed.
