On Friday, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 6.6 magnitude hit central Panama. The seismic activity, centered near Pitaloza Arriba, caused significant structural damage and prompted widespread evacuations across the country.
A reprieve compared to Venezuela's June tragedy
Panama's current seismic situation echoes a pattern of devastating activity across the Ring of Fire. In June, back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes in Venezuela's La Guaira state resulted in over 6,500 deaths and left 17,000 people homeless. Similarly, an August earthquake in Colombia claimed at least 289 lives. As the report notes, Panama's relatively low casualty count thus far may be a result of superior infrastructure standards.
According to Carlos Valdés, head of the Seismology Department at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Panama's lower immediate death toll may be attributed to the country's rigorous building codes, particularly those governing skyscraper construction in the capital. while the tremors caused significant disruption, the lack of mass fatalities suggests these regulations are providing a critical buffer against the tectonic volatility of the Cocos, Nazca, and Caribbean plates.
The collapse of the 1938 San Atanasio Church
The physical toll of the tremors is most visible in the province of Herrera and the community of La Villa de Los Santos. In these areas, the 1938-designated San Atanasio Church—a National Historic Heritage Site—collapsed entirely. The destruction of such a landmark represents a significant cultural loss for the region.
Local residents, such as Tony Jiménez, described the intensity of the event as something never before experienced in a lifetime of 90 years. Beyond the church, the report says that homes partially collapsed and deep fissures have sliced through roadways in Veraguas province. In the district's main square, the local cathedral also sustained visible damage, alongside cracks in the governor's office building and the Dos Continentes hotel.
Tocumen Airport and the Panama Canal remain operational
Despite the destrucction in the central provinces, Panama's vital economic engines have shown remarkable resilience. Tocumen International Airport, which handles over 20 million passengers annually, briefly suspended all operations following the initial 7.7 magnitude quake but successfully reopened by Friday afternoon.
The Panama Canal, a critical artery for global trade, also remains functional. As reported by the Panama Canal Authority, operations are continuing normally, though specialized technical teams have been deployed to inspect facilities for potential damage. The authority emphasized that the safety of employees, vessels, and crews remains the highest priority during these ongoing inspections.
Uncertainty remains regarding injuries in Penonomé
While authorities have not reported any deaths, several specific details regarding the human toll remain unverified. The report mentions at least one person was struck by debris in the city of Penonomé, but the total number of injuries across the provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos has not been fully disclosed. It remains unclear how many residents in the remote areas near the epicenter in Pitaloza Arriba have been affected but are unable to reach medical facilities.
The US $5 million humanitarian pledge and food deliveries
International support arrived quickly following the seismic events. Panamanian President Mulino has already engaged with leaders from Chile, Uruguay, and Guatemala to coordinate assistance. On the ground, the U.S. Department of State has mobilized a disaster response team to provide search and rescue expertise and aerial assessments.
The United States government has also pledged US$5 million in humanitarian assistance to aid the recovery. Additionally, U.S. Southern Command reported that two helicopters, supported by the State Department's drug-control bureau, successfully delivered 2,000 pounds of food to communities in the affected regions to address immediate needs.
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