{"id":17931,"date":"2026-10-14T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17931"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:08:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T19:08:57","slug":"devastating-quake-threatens-centuries-of-panamanian-history-in-los-santos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/events-culture\/devastating-quake-threatens-centuries-of-panamanian-history-in-los-santos\/","title":{"rendered":"Devastating Quake Threatens Centuries of Panamanian History in Los Santos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Emergency crews are racing to stabilize centuries-old buildings in La Villa de Los Santos after a seismic event<\/a> caused extensive damage, triggering an urgent historic heritage preservation<\/a><\/strong> effort across the region. The tremor<\/a> compromised multiple structures of national significance, prompting authorities to close off the historic district<\/a> to pedestrians and vehicles due to high collapse risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials confirmed that manual dismantling of unstable sections will proceed using specialized lifting equipment to prevent further structural failure<\/a>. Assessment teams have been dispatched to other affected municipalities including Penonom\u00e9, Santiago, Atalaya, Nat\u00e1, Parita, and Son\u00e1, where technical recovery evaluations are underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"La
Authorities issued urgent warnings for residents to exercise extreme caution near the historic quarter. La Villa de Los Santos after Quake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Damage Assessment at Historic Heritage Preservation Sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Iglesia San Atanasio, designated a National Historic Monument, sustained notable structural impact. Residents and seminarians entered the religious temple to retrieve sacred images and icons, some recovered intact while others showed varying degrees of deterioration. The rescue operation unfolded amid concerns about the building’s compromised stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Museo de la Nacionalidad, which has safeguarded historical memory dating back to 1821, experienced collapsed display cases and fallen documents and exhibited objects. The Palacio Municipal, Folklore School, and National Police headquarters also reported structural damage, compounding the cultural loss for the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sismo en Panam\u00e1 | Autoridades realizaron un recorrido en el Centro Hist\u00f3rico de La Villa de Los Santos, para evaluar las afectaciones causadas por el terremoto y realizar las gestiones de rescate del patrimonio cultural. https:\/\/t.co\/mymcGxNqIT<\/p>— Telemetro Reporta (@TReporta) October 13, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n