{"id":17836,"date":"2026-10-10T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17836"},"modified":"2026-10-10T20:07:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T01:07:00","slug":"minister-of-public-works-there-is-no-reason-to-close-the-bridge-of-the-americas-or-centenario","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/minister-of-public-works-there-is-no-reason-to-close-the-bridge-of-the-americas-or-centenario\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister of Public Works: There is no Reason to Close the Bridge of the Americas or Centenario"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Panama earthquake damage assessments continued Saturday as authorities confirmed 27 people suffered injuries and more than 426 homes sustained structural damage<\/a> following the 7.5 magnitude tremor<\/a> that struck Friday afternoon. Officials from the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) and the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc<\/a>) said no fatalities have been reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subdirector Malitzie Rivera of Sinaproc detailed the scope of the emergency response<\/a> during a press conference at the Presidential Palace. She said 21 health facilities required structural evaluation by engineers and architects specializing in building integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“To date and as of today, no fatal victims have been reported from this earthquake. There are around 27 injured people, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate, who were immediately transferred to medical centers. Twenty-one health facilities have been affected and are already being attended by engineers and architects specializing in structures to provide a timely response to the communities” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Terremoto
Emergency crews continue working to restore access to isolated communities as aftershocks remain a concern for residents and responders alike. Terremoto Panama Hoy carretera Tonos\u00ed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Panama Earthquake<\/a> Damage Assessment and Road Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Minister of Public Works Jos\u00e9 Luis Andrade reported that nine bridges in the affected sectors have been compromised. He issued direct orders to reopen access routes connecting the communities of Torio, Quebro, and Arenas, as well as a pathway to Tonos\u00ed for light vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“I have given precise instructions to enable the roads to travel from Torio, Quebro, and Arenas, and also to reach Tonos\u00ed, at least so light vehicles can pass and these communities remain connected. We have also been investigating and inspecting the bridges. There are nine compromised bridges in those sectors” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Andrade confirmed that work on the bridge over Torio is expected to begin shortly. He cautioned that damage identification remains incomplete due to widespread landslides, with crews actively working to clear debris from affected roadways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por TVN Noticias (@tvnnoticias)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n