A tanker blast in Balboa closed the Bridge of the Americas, halted oil terminal operations, and sparked a criminal investigation, reports PortNews.
A fuel tanker explosion at La Boca in Balboa on April 6 forced the closure of Panama's Bridge of the Americas, halted operations at a key oil terminal, and triggered a criminal investigation, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.
Flames from the blast damaged the bridge, prompting traffic diversions between Panama City and Panama Oeste. Authorities activated lane reversals via the Centennial Bridge, while structural inspections were ordered by the Ministry of Public Works, firefighters, and Panama Canal staff to assess the reopening.
The incident was reported at 4:12 pm, leaving one person dead and four injured, including two firefighters with second-degree burns. Prosecutors launched an ex officio investigation to determine the cause and liabilities.
The Panama Maritime Authority stated it would suspend or cancel the concession for the port enclosure where the explosion occurred. Operations at the site were halted pending the outcome of the probe.
The facility operates under a concession granted to Panama Oil Terminals, SA, which has a storage capacity of up to 3.3 million barrels, terminals on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides, and four truck-loading platforms on the Pacific coast.
Panama Oil Terminals, SA is a Panama-registered company providing hydrocarbon storage, tank-to-tank transfers, and marine and land receipt and delivery services through port infrastructure in Balboa and Cristobal.
The Panama Maritime Authority regulates maritime transport, port concessions, and compliance across Panama's port system.
