World
Panama Declares State of Emergency After Twin Earthquakes
October 11, 2026 at 07:27 AM
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday after two powerful earthquakes injured 27 people and damaged buildings across the country.
- Two quakes, magnitudes 7.7 and 6.6, struck Friday near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, followed by more than 100 aftershocks.
- Officials reported damage in all ten provinces and two Indigenous territories, with about 420 homes and 420 schools affected.
- Presidential minister Juan Carlos Orillac announced the emergency, stating that homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads and hotels had been damaged.
- The US State Department mobilized a disaster response team and pledged $5 million in humanitarian assistance.