On February 15, 2023, 39 people were killed in a bus crash in Panama. It was headed to a migrant reception center in the town of Gualaca when it crashed near the Costa Ricanborder in Gualaca District, Chiriquí Province, in the west of the country.
The bus carried 66 passengers, most presumably migrants traveling north into the United States after crossing the Darién Gap from Colombia into Panama. It drove off a cliff after the driver lost control while performing a U-turn near the migrant center entrance. Twenty people were hospitalized with serious injuries, after one of the deadliest migrant accidents in Panama's history.
The Darién Gap is a break in the Pan-American Highway that consists of large areas of undeveloped swampland and forest. In 2022, 248,000 migrants crossed it into North America, followed by 32,800 in 2023.[1]
This bus carried migrants who had already crossed the gap toward a shelter in Chiriquí, a western province bordering Costa Rica. Their scheduled final destination was the United States.[2]
Crash
On February 15, 2023, the bus driver attempted to turn around after missing the shelter entrance and lost control, veering off the road and down a ravine, hitting a minibus on a road below.[3][4][5] Both drivers on the bus were appropriately-licensed Panamanians. At least one died.[6] The crash took place approximately 400 kilometers west of Panama City, after the bus had travelled 700 km in around 14 hours.[7] The United Nations Children's Fund told Agence France-Presse three children died.[7] A nearby hospital admitted ten injured children between the ages of 4 and 11.[6]
Response
The passengers' nationalities were not immediately publicized. The Ecuadorian embassy said 22 were Ecuadorian. Cuba's foreign minister said some were Cuban.[6]
President of Panama Laurentino Cortizo tweeted: "This news is unfortunate for Panama and for the region. The National Government extends its condolences to the families of those killed in this accident, and reiterates its commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid and decent conditions to deal with irregular migration."[6] Officials from Colombia and Panama agreed to boost joint military operations in the Darién jungle to prevent irregular migration, drug trafficking and illegal mining.[6]
^Moreno, Elida (February 15, 2023). "At least 39 migrants die in bus crash off Panama cliff". Reuters. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^Phillips, Tom; correspondent, Tom Phillips Latin America (February 15, 2023). "At least 39 migrants killed in Panama bus crash after crossing Darién Gap". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^"Panama migrant bus plunges off road killing 39". BBC News. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^"At least 39 migrants dead in bus crash in Panama". Associated Press. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^"At least 39 dead in Panama migrant bus crash". France 24. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ abcdeSchmidt, Samantha (February 15, 2023). "39 killed when U.S.-bound migrant bus goes over cliff in Panama". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ abFrance-Presse, Agence (February 17, 2023). "Panama migrant bus crash kills nearly 40". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
gualaca, crash, february, 2023, people, were, killed, crash, panama, headed, migrant, reception, center, town, gualaca, when, crashed, near, costa, rican, border, gualaca, district, chiriquí, province, west, country, detailsdatefebruary, 2023locationgualaca, d. On February 15 2023 39 people were killed in a bus crash in Panama It was headed to a migrant reception center in the town of Gualaca when it crashed near the Costa Rican border in Gualaca District Chiriqui Province in the west of the country Gualaca bus crashDetailsDateFebruary 15 2023LocationGualaca District Chiriqui Province PanamaCoordinates8 37 49 N 82 12 48 W 8 6304 N 82 2132 W 8 6304 82 2132 Coordinates 8 37 49 N 82 12 48 W 8 6304 N 82 2132 W 8 6304 82 2132Incident typePlunge from cliffCauseDriver errorStatisticsDeaths39Injured30The bus carried 66 passengers most presumably migrants traveling north into the United States after crossing the Darien Gap from Colombia into Panama It drove off a cliff after the driver lost control while performing a U turn near the migrant center entrance Twenty people were hospitalized with serious injuries after one of the deadliest migrant accidents in Panama s history Contents 1 Background 2 Crash 3 Response 4 See also 5 ReferencesBackground EditThe Darien Gap is a break in the Pan American Highway that consists of large areas of undeveloped swampland and forest In 2022 248 000 migrants crossed it into North America followed by 32 800 in 2023 1 This bus carried migrants who had already crossed the gap toward a shelter in Chiriqui a western province bordering Costa Rica Their scheduled final destination was the United States 2 Crash EditOn February 15 2023 the bus driver attempted to turn around after missing the shelter entrance and lost control veering off the road and down a ravine hitting a minibus on a road below 3 4 5 Both drivers on the bus were appropriately licensed Panamanians At least one died 6 The crash took place approximately 400 kilometers west of Panama City after the bus had travelled 700 km in around 14 hours 7 The United Nations Children s Fund told Agence France Presse three children died 7 A nearby hospital admitted ten injured children between the ages of 4 and 11 6 Response EditThe passengers nationalities were not immediately publicized The Ecuadorian embassy said 22 were Ecuadorian Cuba s foreign minister said some were Cuban 6 President of Panama Laurentino Cortizo tweeted This news is unfortunate for Panama and for the region The National Government extends its condolences to the families of those killed in this accident and reiterates its commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid and decent conditions to deal with irregular migration 6 Officials from Colombia and Panama agreed to boost joint military operations in the Darien jungle to prevent irregular migration drug trafficking and illegal mining 6 See also EditChiapas truck crash 2022 San Antonio migrant deathsReferences Edit Moreno Elida February 15 2023 At least 39 migrants die in bus crash off Panama cliff Reuters Retrieved February 18 2023 Phillips Tom correspondent Tom Phillips Latin America February 15 2023 At least 39 migrants killed in Panama bus crash after crossing Darien Gap The Guardian ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved February 18 2023 Panama migrant bus plunges off road killing 39 BBC News February 15 2023 Retrieved February 18 2023 At least 39 migrants dead in bus crash in Panama Associated Press Retrieved February 18 2023 At least 39 dead in Panama migrant bus crash France 24 February 15 2023 Retrieved February 18 2023 a b c d e Schmidt Samantha February 15 2023 39 killed when U S bound migrant bus goes over cliff in Panama The Washington Post Retrieved February 18 2023 a b France Presse Agence February 17 2023 Panama migrant bus crash kills nearly 40 The Manila Times Retrieved February 18 2023 Portals Buses Panama Roads Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gualaca bus crash amp oldid 1141061295, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
