Red Cross rescue workers missing
Attempts to reach two Panama Red Cross rescue workers,buried under a landslide earth at a collapsed section of Transístmica at Quebrada Ancha, Colon were suspended on Monday November 26 according to a TVN report.
Over 150 rescuers from the National Civil Protection System, the Red Cross and the National Police had been involved in the operation
Fernando Aleman and Jorge Johnson were trapped inside a pickup that was traveling on the road when it collapsed. Four others riding on the back of the truck jumped to safety.
Minister of Public Works James Ford said the collapse of the road was due to the amount of water that has fallen in the province of Colon. Meanwhile, the Palmas Bellas, Bridge in the district of Chagres, collapsed, and a temporary structure will be built, said Ford.
Earlier it was reported that the Cabinet would meet, to assess the extent of the damage and would decide, if necessary: "to pass a budget waiver, which would raise somewhat the maximum deficit allowed by law, in order to cope with a situation that has been dramatic," according to Minister, of the Presidency, Roberto Henriquez. This would be approved at an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, on Wednesday.
After the cabinet meeting President Martinelli planned to go by helicopter to visit sites affected by flooding and landslides
In the Resurrection neighborhood, adjacent to the Cuatro Altos de Colón, while waiting for help from Sinaproc women with children and older adults arm roamed streets flooded waist high and polluted with sewage.
Abelina Gonzalez, a 20 years resident in Resurrection, told La Prensa that the water had never risen so high as that day. "