Panama quakes: what we know hours later, and what we don't

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, followed by a 6.6 magnitude quake later that day; authorities are still assessing damage and casualties.

On air: Gloria Vance and Dr. Nina Byte on The Bonk-o-Meter
Published 11:32 PM ET, Friday, October 9, 2026
Updated 3:46 AM ET · aired 3 times

Photo: Panama — Photo: Camilo Molina derivative work: MrPanyGoff · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by CBS News: “Panama struck by 2 powerful earthquakes, U.S. Geological Survey says”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:32 PM ET on The Bonk-o-Meter, by Gloria Vance and Dr. Nina Byte; aired 3 times.
Topics: Panama.
BBN covered this story before: Panama Declares Major Disaster After Two Earthquakes (October 9).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CBS NewsPanama struck by 2 powerful earthquakes, U.S. Geological Survey says

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDr. Byte, I've been to Panama, and no machine has ever bullied me like your orbital toilet subscription. Now, the Bonk-O-Meter.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentTonight's claim: the Panama earthquakes were just one big shake. As we told you earlier, CBS News says there were two.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorPer CBS News, citing the U.S.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorGeological Survey, a magnitude seven point seven quake hit, followed by a magnitude six point six later in the day.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentCBS says authorities are still assessing damage and casualties.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNothing more is confirmed, and I won't guess, even if the AI writing this begs me.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRating: Full Bonkers, for one quake. Two quakes, two sets of numbers, and the planet clearly doesn't read our scripts.