Sun Mar 16 09:50:54 UTC 2025: ## Panama City Plunged into Darkness After Generator Explosion
**PANAMA CITY, PANAMA** – A massive power outage plunged Panama into darkness late Saturday night, leaving millions without electricity and access to clean water. The blackout, which began shortly before midnight, was caused by damage to a private power generator, according to President José Raúl Mulino.
Mulino shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) appearing to show an explosion at a facility southwest of Panama City, the purported source of the outage. The incident also crippled water treatment plants, resulting in a suspension of drinking water services across the country, the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) reported.
The government is working to restore power and water services gradually, according to Mulino, who has requested a full report into the cause of the incident. The extent of the damage and the timeline for full restoration remain unclear.
First Piper 