At least 39 people were killed in Panama on Wednesday when a bus carrying migrants bound for the United States crashed, Panamanian authorities said.
The accident, in which 28 people were injured, took place in Gualaca, in Chiriqui province, about 400 kilometers west of the capital. There were 66 people on board the bus, including the driver and assistant.
The migrants “were transported from Darien [zona de selva na fronteira com a Colômbia] to a hostel,” Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo said.
“This news is regrettable for Panama and the region. The government extends its condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and reaffirms its commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid and dignified conditions to the migrants, added the head of state in a post on the social network Twitter.
The group was on its way to Costa Rica, on a bus chartered by the government of Panama, and from there to the United States.
Preliminary information indicates that 39 people have died and the injured are being treated “in various hospitals and health centers,” according to the Panamanian migration services.
The vehicle crashed very close to the hostel, after covering almost 700 kilometers in almost 14 hours.
The nationalities of the migrants were not specified, however Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said on Twitter that Cuban citizens were among the victims.
Buses usually run at night “because there is less traffic” and therefore take advantage of the “cooler” hours, authorities said.
“According to preliminary reports, the driver missed the entrance to the hostel”, where he was supposed to stop, and the accident happened when he tried to turn back, added.
Source: DN
