Black Christ Festival to draw 80,000

Up to 80,000 visitors are expected in the small historic town of Portobelo, Panama by Thursday, (Oct 21) for the festival of the Black Christ.

Carlos Chavarría, Mayor of Portobelo,  on the Atlantic coast, said that security will be beefed to minimize the incidence of crime during the religious festival.

Chavarría said that people heading to the area will be prohibited from carrying knives and firearms (even if they have permission to do so).
Police Chief Bartolomé Agüero, has urged motorists to drive carefully to avoid injuring penitents and pilgrims walking the road to Portobelo.