Search for Teen Swept Away by River Extends to Panama Bay

The search for a 14-year-old boy, who was swept away by a river current in the Samaria area of San Miguelito, Panama, has been extended to the waters of Panama Bay. Rescue teams have been unable to find any trace of the teenager after extensive searches on land and using drones.

Major Erwin Rivera reported that the operation began Friday morning, covering areas from Sector 18 and Puente Rojo, near the women's prison and the twin bridges, to the river's mouth. However, these efforts proved fruitless. Given the strong currents during the rainstorm that preceded the boy's disappearance, authorities suspect his body may have been carried out of the river and into the bay.

A boat conducted a search along the bay's outskirts, reaching as far as Taboguilla, while drones were deployed to broaden the inspection area. Despite these measures, no signs of the missing boy were found. The search operations were suspended at 6:00 p.m. due to established protocols and tidal conditions.

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the operations resulted in no findings

Approximately 40 units from the Fire Department, Red Cross, and the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) are participating in the operation. Authorities have urged parents to prevent children from engaging in activities in rivers during the rainy season, citing the risk of sudden floods and flash floods that can occur without warning.

The search, now in its second day, is scheduled to resume Saturday morning with an expanded operation, weather and tide permitting, in an effort to locate the boy and provide answers to his family.

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the body may have been displaced out of the river's course and towards the bay's waters