Health warning as garbage fire sends toxic cloud over Panama

A toxic cloud arising from a five hectare fire in a Patacón garbage site, threatens the health of inhabitants of Panama City.

Henry Lau, pulmonologist and director of hazardous materials at the University of Panama, said that children and seniors are the most vulnerable.

Authorities have advised that citizens avoid going outside as much as possible.
Meanwhile, Henry Ho, director of Urban and Household Waste blamed scavengers for causing the fire which, apart from potential health problems , will cause a crisis in garbage collection until the flames are controlled.
"The fire is 15 times worse than that of 2008," Ho told La Prensa.
The previous fire at the same site lasted a week before it was stifled
Fire Department personnel from Panama, Tocumen International Airport and the Panama Canal Authority are struggling to control the outbreak.