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Mulino Declares Major Disaster After 7.7 Earthquake

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 1:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President José Raúl Mulino declared a major disaster following the magnitude-7.7 earthquake.
The quake’s epicenter was about 10 km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba at roughly 10 km depth.
Buildings collapsed in Penonomé, including the Dos Continentes hotel, the governor’s office, and a historic cathedral.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for Panama and eight neighboring countries, then lifted them.
The Panama Canal remained open while Tocumen Airport closed briefly before reopening.

History

Historical Context

On April 18 1906 a magnitude-7.9 quake struck offshore San Francisco, reaching Mercalli XI and destroying more than 80 % of the city. The disaster killed over 3,000 people, left up to 300,000 homeless, and prompted the 1908 Lawson Report that identified the San Andreas Fault as the source, driving the first modern seismic building codes. The rebuilding effort reshaped California’s urban growth, shifting commerce toward Los Angeles.

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Story summary

President José Raúl Mulino declared a major disaster following the magnitude-7.7 earthquake.
The quake’s epicenter was about 10 km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba at roughly 10 km depth.
Buildings collapsed in Penonomé, including the Dos Continentes hotel, the governor’s office, and a historic cathedral.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for Panama and eight neighboring countries, then lifted them.
The Panama Canal remained open while Tocumen Airport closed briefly before reopening.

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