Story perspectives

Mulino Declares Disaster After 7.7 Quake Strikes Panama

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 2:26 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President José Raúl Mulino declared a disaster and mobilized response after the magnitude-7.7 quake.
The USGS recorded the quake with its epicenter 10 km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Herrera.
At least 27 people were injured and no deaths were reported.
A cathedral tower, the Church of San Atanasio, and the Dos Continentes hotel collapsed in Penonomé.

History

Historical Context

The 1991 Limon earthquake in Costa Rica, striking on April 22 1991 with magnitude 7.6, devastated coastal towns and prompted regional aid. Panamanian Civil Defense, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Red Cross together allocated $12 million for reconstruction after the quake. President José Raúl Mulino declared a disaster after the 7.7 quake near Pitaloza Arriba, directing USGS, Church of San Atanasio, and Dos Continentes hotel to assist. These repeated seismic shocks underscore Central America’s need for reinforced building codes and sustained cross-border disaster coordination to mitigate future casualties.

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Story summary

President José Raúl Mulino declared a disaster and mobilized response after the magnitude-7.7 quake.
The USGS recorded the quake with its epicenter 10 km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, Herrera.
At least 27 people were injured and no deaths were reported.
A cathedral tower, the Church of San Atanasio, and the Dos Continentes hotel collapsed in Penonomé.

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