Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon faces backlash over earthquake rubble photos
The gist
Panamanian influencer Gracie Bon posted photos of herself in white amid earthquake rubble, drawing criticism.
She says the images were meant to draw help to Panama's recovery.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck about 15km southwest of Pitaloza Arriba near Panama's southern tip, causing major structural damage, leaving residents homeless and injuring at least 27 people.
- Oct 11, 2026Bon posted a six-photo series on Instagram showing herself in white amid earthquake rubble, with a caption saying material things can be recovered but life is priceless.
- Oct 13, 2026News outlets reported Bon was facing backlash, with critics accusing her of turning the disaster into a photo op; the post had gained nearly 200,000 likes, or about 150,000 within 24 hours per another outlet.