An investigation opened in Panama regarding the fuel spill in the river

According to preliminary reports, the cause of the environmental disaster was the rupture of a hydrocarbon pipeline that ended up in the basin, which benefits the population and flows into the Gulf of Panama in the Pacific Ocean.

The warning issued by the Marea Verde organization states that a dangerous fuel leak, which it blames on Macello, could cause the death of thousands of species.

In addition, experts from the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the entity responsible for fuel and chemical spills into the waters and offshore sources of the isthmus, appeared on site.

Fuel spills into waterways, whether in rivers and streams, or into the sea, are among the worst environmental disasters, as they completely damage marine ecosystems or, in the best-case scenario, take years to recover.

As the experts explain, as the fuel moves, the stains widen and the task of cleaning becomes more complicated.

In statements to the press, Miambiente City Regional Director Marcos Rueda indicated that spill containment barriers have been placed in a section of the reservoir to mitigate the damage.

The damaged fuel tank had a capacity of 500 gallons (1,892 liters), the ministry said in a statement, in which it determined that the containment well or sump was overflown by the spill.

Apparently, the company was not aware of the situation and, according to Rueda, they were surprised by the presence of public officials and the broken pipe.

Authorities are now trying to determine the amount of fuel spilled, the extent the spill covered, the level of damage caused, and which data will be used to determine the financial penalty for those responsible, which could be as high as $100,000.

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