One worker died and two firefighters suffered minor burns Monday when a tanker truck exploded at a private fuel terminal beneath the Bridge of the Americas in Panama City. The blast sent flames shooting toward the underside of the viaduct and produced a thick plume of black smoke that rose over the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The explosion occurred around 4:12 p.m. in the La Boca area of Balboa while a tanker was loading fuel. Fire spread to two other tankers at the site.
Col. Víctor Raúl Álvarez, director general of the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá, said a worker from the terminal operator became trapped between the vehicles and died at the scene. The two firefighters received treatment for light burns and were listed in stable condition.
More than 75 emergency responders, including crews from multiple stations, worked for nearly three hours to extinguish the flames and cool the remaining tanks. No other injuries were reported among people on the bridge itself, even as vehicles crossed at the time of the blast.
The incident forced the immediate closure of the Bridge of the Americas, the main road link between Panama City and communities to the west. Officials reopened it briefly before closing it again overnight for safety checks. The Ministry of Public Works scheduled full structural inspections for today with results expected later in the day.
The Autoridad Marítima de Panamá reported no effect on canal operations. The Autoridad del Canal de Panamá assisted in the response but confirmed shipping traffic continued without interruption. The terminal sits in a private complex used for loading tanker trucks beside the bridge. Prosecutors from the Ministerio Público opened an investigation into the cause. The Autoridad Marítima also suspended the terminal operator’s concession to allow a full review of the site.
Drivers faced heavy traffic jams as they rerouted through the Bridge of the Centenario and other roads. Local authorities urged motorists to avoid the area until inspections conclude. The Bridge of the Americas carries thousands of vehicles daily across the canal. Monday’s closure highlighted the structure’s importance to daily commutes and regional transport. Officials said the bridge sustained no immediate visible damage from the heat and flames, but the inspections will determine its full condition.
Fire crews remained on site this morning to complete cooling operations. No risk of further spread was reported once the main blaze was controlled.
