Israeli expat recounts destruction, home collapse in magnitude 7.7 Panama earthquake

An Israeli expat in Panama describes surviving a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that collapsed her home and triggered a tsunami warning, as the Israeli community organizes a Shabbat meal on higher ground. The family is housing five families on their farm using converted buses, relying on a stream and rainwater due to damaged water supply.

Israeli expat Nurit Goren Elfant, speaking to N12 News, described surviving a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Panama on Friday, October 9, 2026. Her family was outside when their house collapsed. A tsunami warning forced many families, including Israeli expats, to move to higher ground in the mountains. Some families got stuck there as roads were blocked and bridges collapsed. The Israeli community organized an impromptu Shabbat meal on the mountain, with over 200 people attending. Elfant's family is housing five families on their farm using converted buses. Water supply is severely damaged; the family relies on a stream and rainwater. Aftershocks reached magnitude 5.8.