Jaishankar extends solidarity to Panama after 7.2-magnitude earthquake
Synopsis
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Panama near Tonosi, triggering a multi-country tsunami warning that was later revoked and prompting swift diplomatic outreach from India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. With the Panama Canal — a linchpin of global trade — briefly on alert, the quake's wider implications extended well beyond Central America.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar expressed India's solidarity with Panama on 10 October after a major earthquake struck the country.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit 39 km northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province , per the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences .
The USGS initially recorded the quake at magnitude 8.0 , later revising it to 7.7 .
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a threat alert for coastlines across nine countries before revoking it.
The Panama Canal Authority confirmed operations were unaffected; emergency inspection teams were deployed.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday, 10 October expressed India's solidarity with Panama following a powerful earthquake that struck the Central American nation, saying India stands with the government and people of the country as they cope with the aftermath of the disaster.
What Jaishankar Said
Posting on X and tagging Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez, Jaishankar wrote: 'India stands with the Government and people of Panama following the earthquake. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and affected, especially the families who have suffered loss and hardship.' The outreach reflects India's established diplomatic practice of swift bilateral engagement in the wake of natural disasters affecting partner nations.
The Earthquake: Scale and Impact
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Panama on Friday (local time), with its epicentre located 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi, a town in Los Santos province, according to a revised assessment by the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), which initially recorded the quake at magnitude 8.0, subsequently revised its estimate to 7.7. Strong shaking was felt across the region, with videos circulating on social media showing the roof of the Albrook bus terminal swaying and windows shaking violently in multiple buildings. Tremors were also felt in the capital, Panama City, with reports of intense side-to-side jolts and suspended fixtures swaying forcefully.
Tsunami Warning Issued, Then Revoked
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a threat alert following the earthquake, warning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coastlines of Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico within three hours of the quake. The warning was subsequently revoked. Separately, the tsunami warning department of the Chilean Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service issued an alert cautioning that the quake could trigger a tsunami affecting Easter Island, according to reports.
Panama Canal Operations Unaffected
The Panama Canal Authority confirmed that canal operations continued normally after the earthquake. Emergency protocols were activated and technical teams were deployed to inspect canal facilities for possible structural damage, the authority said in an official statement. The canal handles approximately 5% of global maritime trade, making its operational continuity a matter of international economic significance.
What Comes Next
Damage assessments are ongoing, and the full scale of casualties and infrastructure impact is yet to be confirmed. India's diplomatic engagement, signalled through Jaishankar's post, may pave the way for formal offers of humanitarian assistance depending on how the situation develops on the ground.
Point of View
However, is the Panama Canal's proximity to the epicentre: any structural disruption to that waterway would ripple through global shipping costs almost immediately. The swift 'all-clear' from the Canal Authority is reassuring, but the episode underscores how geographically concentrated chokepoints in global trade remain acutely vulnerable to seismic events that receive insufficient advance warning.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar say about the Panama earthquake?
Jaishankar posted on X that India stands with the government and people of Panama, extending 'heartfelt thoughts and prayers' to those injured and affected, especially families who suffered loss. He tagged Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vasquez in the post.
How strong was the earthquake that struck Panama?
The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 7.2 by the University of Panama's Institute of Geosciences, with its epicentre 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosi in Los Santos province. The USGS initially reported it at magnitude 8.0 before revising its estimate to 7.7.
Was a tsunami warning issued after the Panama earthquake?
Yes, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a threat alert warning of hazardous tsunami waves along the coasts of nine countries including Panama, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The warning was subsequently revoked. Chile's naval authority also issued a separate alert for Easter Island.
Were Panama Canal operations affected by the earthquake?
No, the Panama Canal Authority confirmed that operations continued normally after the quake. Emergency protocols were activated and technical teams were dispatched to inspect canal infrastructure for potential damage.
Why does India respond diplomatically to earthquakes in distant countries?
India's swift diplomatic outreach during natural disasters is part of a broader foreign policy approach to building bilateral goodwill and positioning the country as a responsible global partner. Such gestures often precede formal humanitarian assistance offers depending on the scale of the disaster.
