According to the Palacio de las Garzas (Headquarters of the Executive), of the 66 travelers transported to the Los Planes immigration station, 42 were male and 24 were female.
The official report states that among the migrants 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).
A total of 20 minors were on the move: 12 boys and eight girls, this text adds.
The Presidency of the Republic also noted that specialized personnel from the Prosecutor’s Office continue to conduct medical studies to identify the lifeless bodies that have been rescued, and all the resources available in the hospitals of this western region are dedicated to the care of the survivors.
It also notes that the rigorous medical studies needed to identify all of the deceased are ongoing based on the condition of the bodies.
It has also not been possible to verify the identities of all the survivors, as some (eight in total) still lie unconscious in hospitals, having lost their identity documents scattered at the scene.
Also traveling on the wrecked bus were two Panamanians, the driver who died instantly and an aide who was injured; Among the injured are two other Panamanians who were on the roller coaster parked at the construction site that was hit by the bus.
The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Chiriquí, together with the National Migration Service (SNM) authorities, maintains effective coordination to gather information and be able to responsibly announce the identity and nationality of each deceased and the survivors in the next few hours. adds the note.
Bodies such as the National System for Civil Protection, Migration, National Police, Fire Service, Social Insurance Fund, Ministry of Health, Red Cross, Sume 911, the National System for Family and Child Care and the Public Prosecutor’s Office have been involved in the rescue operation, relocation and medical, psychological and social care of the victims.
The national government continues its humanitarian relief work to ensure that irregular migrants crossing Panamanian territory to North America receive dignified treatment and the necessary assistance at the temporary immigrant reception centers in Chiriquí and Darién provinces, the statement concludes.
On that day, Pope Francis expressed his sorrow at the accident of a bus that killed 40 migrants crossing Panama, joining the pain of the relatives and friends of the deceased.
In a message to Cardinal José Luis Lacunza from the Chirican capital David, the Pope also asked for the speedy recovery of the injured.
According to the authorities, it is the worst accident of this type that has been recorded in Panama for more than 50 years.
lam/ga