Football Ferns safe after powerful earthquake hits Panama

All members of the Football Ferns squad and staff are safe and accounted for following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama. The team is in the country for a two-match international series ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. New Zealand Football is monitoring the situation alongside local authorities and match organisers.

The epicentre was located near the community of Pitaloza Arriba in southern Panama. The tremor caused significant shaking in Panama City, leading to building evacuations and the suspension of school classes nationwide.

Authorities confirmed there is no tsunami threat to New Zealand. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre noted that waves of up to 3m were possible along the Panamanian coast, the National Emergency Management Agency issued an advisory stating no risk exists for New Zealand.

Damage has been reported in several provinces, including Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos. Reports indicate that a church and part of a hotel collapsed in Penonome, and power was lost across six provinces. Tocumen International airport suspended flights, and the Panama Canal continued to operate normally.

How it developed

• Sat 10 Oct, 10:24amThe earthquake caused flight suspensions at Tocumen International airport and power outages across six provinces, though the Panama Canal remained operational.

Where reports differ

• Reports vary on the exact depth of the earthquake, citing 10km, 12km, 12.6km, or a general shallow depth.
• The exact location of the epicentre is described variously as southwest of Pitaloza Arriba, in the south-centre of Panama, or near La Pitaloza.
• The initial magnitude was reported as 8 or 8.0.

Compiled from reports by 1News, The Press, NZ Herald, Stuff and RNZ.