Tocumen Airport closed temporarily after Panama earthquake, flights diverted
Written by AI from 12 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
A seismic event recorded at 12:56 local time led to the temporary closure of Tocumen International Airport, evacuation of staff and passengers, and the diversion of several flights, with operations later resuming after inspections.
Earthquake parameters
The United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at 12:56 local time (17:56 GMT). Initial reports listed a magnitude of 7.6, later updated to 7.7. One source reported a magnitude of 7.2 and described the epicenter as being in the southern zone of Panama. Other sources placed the epicenter 12 km from Tonosí and 239 km from Panama City, or 12 km west‑southwest of Pitaloza Arriba.
Airport closure and evacuation
Tocumen Airport was temporarily closed and its administrative staff evacuated following the quake. Passengers, including Argentine nationals Bruno and Julio Hutka, were moved to the runway for up to an hour after an aftershock. The airport did not operate while the shaking continued and was reopened after runway, taxiway, facility and control‑tower inspections.
Operations were suspended each time an aftershock was felt, but flights resumed later the same day. On 10 October, the airport maintained air operations while temporarily suspending takeoffs and landings when aftershocks occurred.
Flight disruptions
A flight carrying passenger Guillermo Sepúlveda was diverted from Tocumen to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, after the earthquake. In Colombia, 16 flights destined for Panama City were rerouted at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla; eight had already departed and eight were cancelled, leaving more than 1,280 passengers on the airport platform. Copa Airlines and Wingo arranged hotel accommodations for passengers of the cancelled flights, and regional support protocols involving seven Colombian airports were activated.
What's still unclear
Sources differ on the earthquake magnitude, reporting 7.2, 7.6 (later updated to 7.7), and 7.7. Descriptions of the epicenter vary between the southern zone of Panama and specific distances from Tonosí, Panama City, or Pitaloza Arriba.