A traffic accident in Nicaragua left 16 dead on Wednesday night, 13 of them of Venezuelan nationality, who are presumed to be traveling irregularly to the United States. Another of the deceased was Nicaraguan and two are pending identification.
In a statement issued by the National Police It was reported that in the accident that occurred in the department of Estelí, in the northeast of Nicaragua, some 47 people were also injured, who were helped by the corresponding authorities and transferred to a local hospital where they received medical attention.
The people who died were referred to the Institute of Legal Medicine, in Managua, where they were examined by specialists who determined that the causes of death were related to severe head trauma and polytrauma.
According to the authorities, Alfredo Antonio Palma, driver of the bus where the migrants were traveling, was speeding and hit two cars, one of which fell off the cliff.
The driver was arrested and will be sent to the Nicaraguan justice system for prosecution, official media reported.
Solidarity of the residents
The residents of the town turned to support the survivors who are hospitalized.
Zuleima Zambrana, a woman resident of Condega, told a correspondent from the local media Channel 10 that people needed diapers and blankets and supplies for children and adults.
“I came to leave quilts, pampers; today it can be them, tomorrow us. That was too much. People occupy wet towels, bedspreads, blankets and things for children and adults,” said the woman.
Nicaragua is one of the countries through which Venezuelan migrants attempting to reach the United States by land must transit.
David Smolansky, commissioner of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the Venezuelan migrant and refugee crisis, stated on his Twitter account condolences to the families of the victims.
“This has to stop,” Smolansky said, referring to mass migration.
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