More than two hours after the emergency began, the passage on National Route 14 (RN-14) remains completely closed this Monday, May 18, due to an incident with a tanker truck transporting propane gas en route to San Juan Alotenango, Sacatepéquez.
The situation generates long lines of vehicles, complications in traffic between Antigua Guatemala and Escuintla and moments of tension between motorists, while relief bodies work to reduce the risks of an explosion. Smoke screens and the release of tank pressure through security systems were also observed in the sector.
The emergency occurs between kilometers 82 and 82.7 of the RN-14, where Volunteer Firefighters from Antigua Guatemala, Alotenango and Ciudad Vieja, together with other fire companies, carry out cooling and control work on the unit that transported liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Firefighters worked to prevent an explosion
According to lifeguards, the truck was overheating and had an apparent gas leak, a situation classified as high risk due to the possibility of a large explosion.
The rescue forces ordered drivers and vehicles to be removed at a minimum distance of 100 meters as a preventive measure; however, some motorists remained near the restricted area.
Firefighters reported that the unit released pressure through its safety systems, which allowed the emergency to be partially stabilized and a larger situation to be avoided. No injuries were reported.
The Municipality of San Juan Alotenango reported that the passage remains completely blocked in both directions and recommended using alternative routes while security maneuvers continue.
“At the moment there is no estimated time for enabling the passage,” the commune indicated in a notice posted on social networks.
Another incident complicates traffic
While the complications persisted on the RN-14, Volunteer Firefighters also reported the fire of a vehicle at kilometer 24 of the Inter-American route.
Vehicle caught fire at kilometer 24 Inter-American route. Volunteer Firefighters 22 Cía used rapid attack to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/mkmjjh8V2r
— Volunteer Firefighters (@BVoluntariosGT) May 18, 2026
Rescuers from the 22nd company used rapid attack equipment to extinguish the flames and control the emergency in the sector.
🚨 EmergencyCBMD | VEHICLE FIRE 🔥🚒
Kilometer 24 of the Inter-American Route, a vehicle fire is reported.
Elements of @ASONBOMDGT from the San Bartolomé and Santa Lucía Milpas Altas stations aboard units AD-152, AD-105 and BFD-02 work on site to… pic.twitter.com/vuvO3wMzVg
— ASONBOMD GUATEMALA (@ASONBOMDGT) May 18, 2026
*Stay up to date with the Now newsletter. Key information at the moment it happens. Subscribe here.