Why did so many workers die during construction of the Panama Canal?

The construction of the Panama Canal was a perilous endeavor that resulted in approximately 25,600 worker deaths. The high mortality rate was driven by several critical factors:1

• Tropical Diseases: The most significant cause of death was the prevalence of malaria and yellow fever. During the initial French attempt, these diseases decimated the workforce, claiming over 20,000 lives. While American medical efforts later improved sanitation and disease control, these illnesses remained a persistent threat.23
• Dangerous Working Conditions: The project involved massive excavation efforts, particularly in the Culebra Cut. The unstable nature of the soil and rock led to frequent, unpredictable mudslides and landslides that buried workers and equipment.2
• Industrial Accidents: Workers faced constant danger from the use of heavy machinery, including steam shovels and the extensive use of dynamite for blasting through rock.2
• Environmental Stress: Laborers often worked in extreme conditions, including temperatures reaching 100 °F (38 °C) or higher, which exacerbated the physical toll of the labor-intensive project.2