Broken pipe is repaired

PANAMA. The water pipeline that broke in the early ours of Wednesday morning was repaired by the Sewers and Aqueduct Institute (IDAAN) and the services are being restored.

The rupture of the pipe caused the collapse of a sidewalk near Balboa Avenue, destroyed a transformer and left hundreds of residents from Bella Vista and Paitilla without water and electricity

According to IDAAN the damage was caused when the company Bay Star S.A. which is constructing a 76 floor tower Bay Star, put too much weight on top of the 16 inches pipeline causing it to collapse.

IDAAN director, Juan Antonio Ducruet denied the allegations of the construction company that it had called the institute on Tuesday night. In emergency cases like the Wednesday incident, the repair crew is ready to respond within 45 minutes.

Meanwhile a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works said that currently they are assessing the structural integrity of the road near Balboa Avenue to avoid further damage.

Part of Balboa Avenue has been closed for the time being to protect the road near the collapse.

It is likely that the company Bay Star will have to pay for the damages caused by the leaking pipe.