On the afternoon of April 6th local time, a fuel transport truck caught fire in Balboa la Boca, Panama City and ignited surrounding vehicles, resulting in multiple violent explosions.

The incident occurred directly below the American Bridge, where vehicles were still passing. A huge fireball and thick smoke rose from the scene, and the fire quickly spread.

The Panamanian fire department stated that the first fire alarm was received around 4:12 pm, and multiple trucks have been engulfed in flames, with nearby oil storage tanks facing a risk of chain fire.

Emergency reinforcements from the fire department are making every effort to extinguish the fire and reduce the temperature. Official announcement: Two individuals with second degree burns were successfully rescued and treated on-site; The search and rescue is still ongoing.

Although the explosion did not directly affect the bridge deck, the flames raised concerns about the safety of the bridge structure. The authorities immediately closed the American Bridge and prohibited all traffic.

A comprehensive inspection is required to determine if the bridge has been damaged by high temperatures, and it will be continuously sealed until the assessment is completed.

Fortunately, the Panama Canal Authority has confirmed that the Balboa Port and overall shipping of the canal have not been significantly affected and are currently operating normally.