A total of 21 bodies of the victims of the traffic in Gualaca, recorded on February 15, 2023, have been delivered to their relatives through the Chiriquí Regional Prosecutor’s Office. In an accident, 37 migrants and two Panamanians died.
María Eugenia Batista, Gualaca person in charge of this investigation, said that this Wednesday, March 15, 2023, they continued with the diligence of the delivery of five bodies, which correspond to Venezuelan citizens, which were duly recognized through judicial expertise.
He revealed that to date they have managed to deliver the remains of 21 victims of Cuban, Colombian, Venezuelan, Ecuadorian and Panamanian nationalities.
In addition, they are in contact with Cameroonian authorities, in order to proceed with the delivery of the remains of their nationals. He added that 18 bodies of migrants are still kept in the judicial morgue in the David district. Also, belongings that were located at the site of the accident have been sent to the next of kin of the victims.
Batista pointed out that, in order to proceed with this procedure, the prior intervention of the team of psychologists from the Victims, Witnesses and Other Intervening Unit in the criminal proceedings (UPAVIT) of the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation has been received.
He indicated that to carry out each of the procedures, there is the permanent support of the team of experts and specialists from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (IMELCF).
After concluding this phase in the investigation, the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (IMELCF) has coordinated for this Friday, March 17, 2023, the carrying out of solemn burials, in the David district.
