Zamora Chinchipe Governor Ivonne Panchi Missing After Mudslide

Ivonne Panchi Rodríguez, the governor of Zamora Chinchipe province, is still missing after being swept away by a mudslide in the Kantzama sector of the Guadalupe parish. The confirmation came from the provincial prefect, Karla Reátegui, on Sunday morning, July 5.

Governor Panchi, an attorney by profession, was reportedly coordinating assistance for families affected by the disaster when the mudflow occurred. "The governor is still missing, which we deeply regret. It is a huge tragedy," Reátegui stated. Panchi has a notable professional background, having served as a lecturer at the Technical Particular University of Loja, a teacher at the Montessori Educational Unit, and previously as a police superintendent and judicial procurator.

The devastating mudslide and the overflow of the Zamora River have left a tragic toll: at least five people have died, 38 are injured, and ten are missing, according to preliminary data from the National Risk Management Secretariat (SNGR). One of the deceased is a minor. The emergency has impacted 48 families, with 50 homes damaged. On Saturday morning, the SNGR reported the rescue of 48 individuals, including ten firefighters who were injured after being carried away by the river's current.

Humanitarian aid, including hygiene kits and temporary shelter supplies, has been mobilized by the SNGR. Technical personnel are on-site to support the affected population. Temporary shelters have been established in an educational unit, and collection centers have been set up in two municipal sports fields in Zamora. The Ministry of Health has set up a primary care point, while the Zamora Fire Department continues search and rescue operations. Police and military forces are also assisting in the search and security efforts in the area affected since early Saturday.