16th-Century Cathedral Loses Bell Tower in Panama Earthquake

A powerful earthquake in Panama has caused the collapse of the bell tower of a historic cathedral, damaging one of the country’s religious landmarks as authorities assess widespread destruction following two major tremors and numerous aftershocks.

The bell tower of St John the Baptist Cathedral in Penonomé, in Coclé province, collapsed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on Friday, October 9, according to reports by the Associated Press and Spain’s EFE news agency. Images from the scene showed significant damage to the cathedral and nearby buildings.

The earthquake was followed by another powerful tremor measuring magnitude 6.6, with more than 100 aftershocks subsequently recorded. The first quake was centred near Pitaloza Arriba in Herrera province, at a depth of about 10 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The destruction extended beyond the cathedral. In Penonomé, a hotel and part of the Coclé provincial government building also collapsed, while buildings, roads and other infrastructure sustained damage in several areas. The historic Church of San Atanasio in La Villa de Los Santos was also reported to have collapsed.

Panama’s government declared a state of emergency on Saturday, October 10, as aftershocks continued to rattle affected communities. Authorities reported damage across all 10 provinces and two Indigenous territories, including hundreds of homes and schools, as well as churches, hotels and bridges.

At least 27 people were reported injured, according to the Associated Press, although officials had not attributed any deaths to the earthquakes in their initial assessments. Some residents were evacuated as emergency teams inspected damaged structures and responded to safety concerns.

The tremors were felt in Panama City and neighbouring Colombia. Tocumen International Airport temporarily suspended operations before reopening, while authorities said the Panama Canal continued operating normally. Tsunami alerts issued for parts of the Pacific coast were later lifted.

The destruction of the cathedral’s bell tower has raised concerns about damage to Panama’s historic and religious heritage. The Church of San Atanasio, which also suffered a collapse, had been designated a National Historic Heritage Site in 1938.

President José Raúl Mulino visited affected areas and called for calm as emergency services and government agencies assessed the damage and coordinated assistance. The government’s emergency declaration is intended to support the response and recovery effort.

Panama lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region characterised by significant seismic and volcanic activity. The latest earthquakes have renewed attention to the risks posed by powerful tremors, particularly to older buildings and historic structures.

As inspections continue, authorities face the challenge of helping affected residents, restoring damaged infrastructure and determining the extent of the losses to the country’s historic sites.