Remembering the tragedy of bus 8B
RELATIVES and survivors of one of Panama’s most horrific traffic accidents “the tragedy of bus 8B” on October 23, 2006 in the La Cresta, area of Panama City marked the event on Friday, and continued their call for justice.
The Government has declared the date a National Day of Reflection, marking the incineration of 18 people and the severe burning of 25 others.
On Friday, as in previous years it a mass in honor of the victims was held in the lower Basilica of Don Bosco, conducted by the Metropolitan Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa.
Attendees displayed banners with pictures of the victims of bus Mano de Piedra-Corredor Norte.
As every year, blue hearts were painted on the road at the site of the tragedy
Naomi Castle, whose family died in the tragedy, said that given the lack of response from the Panamanian authorities they plan raise their case before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
“We have waited nine years for justice and we have not yet received answers,” she said.
Esperanza Mena, spokeswoman for the Foundation for the Protection of People, said that governments have not done enough to ensure that events situations like the one in La Cresta will not be repeated.
A government Executive Decree issued earlier in the week said:
“The Government wants to keep the memory of the tragic event that occurred on October 23, 2006 in the avenue Martin Sosa, La Cresta, a time when the route bus Corredor-Mano de Piedra Duran it caught fire by a fault which resulted in the deaths of 18 people and lasting bodily injury of 25 others who survived after the incident “
