Operations on the interoceanic route were not interrupted. Authorities reported that one person died at the scene and two firefighters suffered first and second-degree burns. The explosion, recorded around 4:00 PM local time on Monday, affected the metal structure of the bridge, for which technical pathological inspections are being carried out by a team of experts from the Ministry of Public Works and the Panama Canal. Security camera images captured the moment of the explosion, followed by the spread of flames in the area under the bridge, which connects the country's capital with central and western provinces. Videos of people passing by at the time of the explosion are circulating on social media.
“We have no confirmation of other injured people. Two firefighters and one person, who unfortunately died at the scene and is believed to be an employee of the company,” said Víctor Raúl Álvarez, director of the Panama Fire Department. The firefighter added that the investigation is in its initial stages and the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. Engineers warned that the fire may have affected the structure of the bridge, which was inaugurated on October 12, 1962.
“The Bridge of the Americas is a structure of over 60 years. The fire of three tank trucks recorded yesterday just under the Bridge of the Americas, which is over the Panama Canal, forced the total closure of the viaduct for at least 24 hours while it is determined if there is damage to its structure. Due to the effects of the fire, if the metal structure was subjected to excessively high temperatures, it could have been damaged,” explained Edwin Lewis, an engineer from the Ministry of Public Works.
Authorities temporarily close bridge near Panama Canal. Authorities ordered the temporary closure of the bridge while specialized teams conduct structural inspections, including evaluations of concrete and metal components. According to them, the results of the analysis are expected for Tuesday and the bridge will remain closed until its safety is confirmed. The closure has affected traffic in the capital and its surroundings, impacting thousands of drivers traveling from Panama City to the west where thousands of workers live. There are only two access bridges on which a combined total of over 50,000 vehicles travel daily according to the Transit Authority.
