The number of deaths from the bus crash in Panama rose to forty, including several children, as officials reported on the latest tally. On Wednesday a vehicle was transporting irregular migrants toward a shelter near the border with Costa Rica. The accident happened around four o’clock in the afternoon local time in the Gualaca district of Chiriquí province, roughly 450 kilometers from Panama City. Officials confirmed more than twenty people were injured, and one of the injured later died while receiving treatment at a hospital, bringing the death toll to forty.
Among the injured are twelve children aged five to eleven, three of whom are in serious condition. At the regional children’s hospital in David, the medical director explained the severity of the injuries. UNICEF emergency protection staff have expressed deep concern, noting the incident affected several minors who were in their care earlier in Darién. Irregular migrants originate from various parts of the world and are often traveling through the region in hopes of reaching the United States.
Medical officials reported that twenty-three people were injured at another hospital in David, with about a dozen patients in critical condition in intensive care units.
Among the deceased are individuals from Cuba and Colombia.
Panamanian authorities have not released the ages or nationalities of the dead, but the dead are believed to be primarily migrants in transit toward North America. María Isabel Saravia, deputy director of the National Immigration Service, stated at a press briefing that a Panamanian national and one of the two drivers were among those who died, along with twenty minor passengers on the bus. Saravia added that sixty-six foreigners were aboard the bus and that the list includes travelers from African nations and South American countries such as Brazil and Ecuador. He noted that the State Department is coordinating with various governments.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the presence of Cuban nationals among the deceased, though it did not specify numbers. The Colombian government offered its condolences to the families of the victims, including those from Colombia and several other nations. Ecuador’s Embassy in Panama said twenty-two Ecuadorian citizens were on the bus and requested information about their status from Panamanian authorities.
The risks tied to irregular migration
According to the verified statements from authorities, the bus driver missed a hostel entrance in Gualaca, attempted a turn, lost control, and collided with a fixed object before plunging into a mountain pass. The vehicle was left crushed with the roof missing and seats scattered across the floor. The Panamanian Prosecutor’s Office reported that several bodies were severely damaged, underscoring the tragedy’s brutality.
This stands as the most deadly road incident in Panama in more than fifty years. The National Immigration Service praised the response within the wider context of a regional migration crisis. In 2022 an unprecedented number of irregular travelers entered Panama after crossing Darién, and this year a program aimed at managing mobility has moved hundreds of thousands of migrants to support and shelter them while facilitating onward journeys.
Panama has been processing irregular migrants as they cross jungle routes, collecting biometric data at processing stations, and providing health care and meals. After processing, authorities arrange bus transport to the Costa Rican border to continue travelers toward their destinations. Activists have raised concerns about overcrowding at immigration facilities, while independent reports and UN special rapporteurs have highlighted allegations of harassment and abuse by some officials, which authorities have denied.