A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Panama on October 9, 2023, at 12:56 PM local time. The epicenter was located approximately 10 kilometers from the sparsely populated town of Pitaloza Arriba, at a depth of over 12 kilometers. The tremors were felt throughout the Central American country, lasting for about a minute and causing significant damage.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake triggered tsunami warnings not only in Panama but also in neighboring countries. The National Civil Protection System of Panama reported that over ten aftershocks were recorded, including one exceeding 6.0 in magnitude. President Jose Raul Mulino characterized the earthquake as a "serious disaster" and noted that many roads near the epicenter were destroyed.

In a social media post, Mulino urged citizens to remain calm and not to exploit the situation for panic and disorder. The damage appeared to be concentrated in central regions such as Herrera, Azuero, Veraguas, and Los Santos, although officials have not yet confirmed any casualties.

Panama City's international airport, a key aviation hub in the region, was temporarily closed, and many flights were redirected as a precaution. The Ministry of Education announced a nationwide suspension of classes in response to the quake.

The tsunami warning was later lifted by the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center, which indicated that the threat had passed. Nestor Luque, director of the Panama Geological Institute, explained that the earthquake was triggered by the Azuero Sona fault system, which had been accumulating pressure over time.

Witnesses described the experience as terrifying, with many residents in Panama City, located about 200 kilometers from the epicenter, rushing to evacuate high-rise buildings. Sabina Rios, a resident of an older building, noted that the shaking was the strongest and longest she had felt in years.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in Panama, typically occurring in the western province of Chiriqui, which borders Costa Rica. This earthquake marks the fourth seismic event of magnitude 7 or greater in Latin America this year, following a series of devastating quakes in Venezuela in June and a significant quake in western Colombia in August.