Tanker explodes near the Bridge of the Americas in Panama City

Published April 7th, 2026 - 05:48 GMT
Panama city
This handout picture released by the Panama's Firefighting Department press office shows Panamanian firefighters tackling a blaze caused by the explosion of a fuel tanker under the Bridge of the Americas, at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, in Panama City on April 6, 2026. Photo by HANDOUT / PANAMA FIREFIGHTING DEPARTMENT / AFP

ALBAWABA - A fuel tanker exploded, killing one person and leaving two more injured, on April 6 near the Bridge of the Americas in the Panama Canal, the authorities announced.

A video was posted online showing a huge fire and a thick cloud of smoke erupting into the sky following the explosion. The incident happened at a complex where tanker trucks are supplied with fuel, located next to the Bridge of the Americas.

Panamanian firefighter chief Victor Alvarez revealed that a person died as a result of the explosion, and two firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The Bridge of the Americas was shut down after the blast and was set to undergo inspections on April 7 to determine if it was damaged by the explosion.