Ten people drown in Darin Gap while trying to cross swollen river

[Judi Lynn]

Luke Taylor in Bogotá
Wed 24 July 2024 at 11:52 am GMT-5·2-min read

Ten people have drowned in a swollen river while trying to cross a lawless stretch of jungle connecting Colombia with Panama, highlighting the continuing perils of the Darién Gap despite efforts to stop irregular migration through the region.

The 10 people, whose nationality has not yet been identified, were probably on their way to the US when they were swept away by strong currents, Panama’s border force said in a statement. Their bodies were found in a river close to the Indigenous community of Carreto on the Caribbean coast.

Authorities said this was one of the largest drowning death tolls in recent memory.

The current wet season makes the swampy, mountainous stretch of jungle more dangerous, particularly due to the rushing rivers that cut through the rainforest.

Last year, at least 48 people died while attempting the arduous, week-long trek, most of them drowning.

More:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ten-people-drown-dari-n-165211134.html