Panama's
President Declares Three-Day
National Mourning For Traffic Accident
Victims
Panama - Panama's
President Ricardo Martinelli Friday declared
three days of national mourning to the
victims of a traffic accident which killed
at least 24 on Thursday night in east
Panama.
The national flags in all the institutions
will be flying at half mast during the
Saturday to Monday mourning, to show
respects to all those killed and injured in
the tragedy as well as their families.
Martinelli expressed "deep regret" to the
families of the victims and urged his
compatriots to show solidarity with those
who lost their families in the accident.
The fatal accident occurred near Pacora, a
rural area in east Panama when a tipper
truck collided head-on with a passenger bus
at 10:45 p.m. local time (0345 GMT)
Thursday.
More than 10 others were injured.
Initial investigation said the accident was
caused by darkness and speeding by the two
vehicles.
Martinelli visited the scene early Friday.
On Friday evening, local residents gathered
at the roadside, holding candles and praying
for the victims.
This was the second major traffic accident
in the country this month. Three were killed
and 35 injured when a bus turned over in the
suburbs of Panama City on Aug. 6.
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