{"id":17810,"date":"2026-10-09T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17810"},"modified":"2026-10-09T19:47:48","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T00:47:48","slug":"panic-in-panama-earthquake-magnitude-7-5-strikes-near-tonosi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/panic-in-panama-earthquake-magnitude-7-5-strikes-near-tonosi\/","title":{"rendered":"PANIC IN PANAMA! Earthquake Magnitude 7.5 Strikes Near Tonos\u00ed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A magnitude 7.2 Panama earthquake struck at 12:56 p.m. local time on Friday, October 9, 2026, with its epicenter located 39 kilometers west of Tonos\u00ed in Los Santos province<\/a>. The tremor was felt across multiple provinces and prompted immediate evacuations, though no serious injuries or deaths have been reported as of this writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Institute of Geosciences at the University of Panama recorded the event at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, which typically amplifies surface shaking<\/a>. Tonos\u00ed sits roughly 210 kilometers from Panama City, yet residents in the capital reported noticeable movement and building evacuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Panda
The absence of fatalities or serious injuries has been a relief for emergency responders, but the structural damage underscores the quake’s intensity. Panda House damages by EXPAT-TIMES.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Structural Damage and School Closures After Panama Earthquake<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preliminary damage assessments point to structural collapses in Penonom\u00e9, Veraguas, and Los Santos<\/a>. At least 45 schools have reported damage, according to official tallies, though the extent of that damage varies by location. Authorities are conducting evaluations to determine which facilities require immediate intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ministry of Education suspended all afternoon classes nationwide on Friday as a precaution. The decision affects students, teachers, and administrative staff across every educational center in the country. Officials said the suspension prioritizes safety while inspections continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por Hispania Informa | Noticias (@hispaniainforma)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n