By the time of the incident, with a record of 42 dead and dozens injured, it was possible to determine the identity of 14 fatalities and seven injured, according to the State Ministry report in collaboration with the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science (Imelcf).
The official statement states that the scientific expertise was supported by embassies such as those of Cuba, Colombia and Ecuador.
“Through legal assistance, the protocols for the release of the fingerprint record were followed and thus the forensic dactyloscopy tests were developed,” the note reads.
On the bodies that have not yet been recognized, the Chiriquí Regional Prosecutor’s Office, together with the Imelcf, will carry out further analyzes such as forensic odontology and DNA tests to finally determine the identities.
The death of the second Panamanian, the other driver of the wrecked bus, was reported this Monday.
Earlier, the government said that of the total of 66 migrants traveling from Darién to Chiriquí en route to the United States, 42 are male, 24 are female and 20 are minors.
The official report then stated that among the travelers were 22 Ecuadorians, 16 Haitians and 11 Venezuelans, the three nationalities with the largest presence.
They also identified citizens of Brazil (six), Colombia (five), Cameroon (two), Cuba (two), Eritrea (one) and Nigeria (one).
There was another incident last Saturday involving a bus transporting migrants to Chiriquí when the vehicle caught fire on the Inter-American Highway in Los Ruices (Veraguas), but no injuries or casualties were reported.
Due to this mishap, the National Migration Service suspended the transfers.
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