A new earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hits the coast of Panama

The Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Panama reported on its website the earthquake data: “Status: Initial. Date: October 12, 2026. Time: 18:20:36 local time. Strength: 6.4 degrees. Depth: 5 kilometers.”

The superficial epicenter of the earthquake was located in the country's coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean, near the provinces of Veraguas and Chiriqui.

The new earthquake comes three days after a violent tremor recorded on October 9. The institute reported at the time that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of four kilometers, 39 kilometers northwest of the town of Tonusi.

The US Geological Survey estimated the strength of the October 9 earthquake at 7.7 degrees, according to Efe Agency. Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, Nestor Luque, said that the number of aftershocks exceeded 350 as of Monday morning, and it is likely that they will continue until the fault zone stabilizes.

In Panama, surveying operations are continuing in the areas affected by the October 9th earthquake. According to the latest preliminary toll of the National Civil Protection System (Sinabruk), 90 homes were damaged in Chiriqui Province, of which 62 homes were partially damaged, and 28 homes were completely destroyed.

Inspections are still ongoing in San Felix, Remedios and Tule, and in the residential communities in the Ngāpi-Boglí indigenous area, which means that the number of damaged homes is likely to rise.

A previous civil protection tally at the national level indicated 27 minor injuries, about 300 people were evacuated, and more than 400 facilities were damaged, including 142 homes and 188 schools, with no deaths recorded. The authorities suspended classes on Monday, October 12, to inspect school buildings.