Transit authority nails rumors that migrant bus was uninsured

Panama’s Transportation Authority (ATTT) has reacted to speculation about the validity of the insurance policy and the certificate of operation of the bus carrying migrants on the Panama-Darién route, which crashed in Los Planes, district of Gualaca, Los Santos province, with 66 passengers, 40 of whom died.

“As an institution responsible for ensuring land traffic, road safety, healthy coexistence, and transparency, we inform the population that these statements do not contain any foundation,” explains the ATTT in a statement.

It was also clarified that “buses with private or commercial license plates can transport passengers as long as they have an operation certificate [quota], a document that authorizes them to transport passengers.”

In this sense, it was detailed that “the bus with private license plate 238336 and with an operation certificate [quota] 5B-54, which was in force at the time of the accident, also had an insurance policy.”

“The driver of this vehicle, who unfortunately lost his life, had an adequate driver’s license valid until the year 2026,” adds the ATTT.