Nine dead, two missing in Chiriqui floods

THE DEATH TOLL from flooding in Chiriquí on Sunday, August 17, has risen to nine and  two people are missing.

President Juan Carlos Varela has declared a state of emergency in the region.
The Civil Defense Agency, (Sinaproc) confirmed the nine people died in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí.
More than 20 houses were destroyed by the flooding from the Chiriquí Viejo river.
Officials reported that 12 people, four children and eight adults, have been rescued after being trapped on an island.. People affected by the flooding are being housed in a temporary shelter at the Cerro Punta gymnasium, where they are receiving humanitarian aid.
The deaths included two children in Las Nubes who were dragged away by the strong current when their home was flooded A bus driver whose died when a road collapsed in Nueva Suiza.
President Juan Carlos Varela announced that the government will provide the resources that are needed to repair the damage caused by the rains.
Heavy rains have continued in the area on Monday hampered rescue efforts.
The national aero naval service Senan has been brought in to assist Sinaproc and local authoritiesreports La Prensa