The body of a man, 39, who attempted to ford the Santamaría river in the Las Palmas district of Veraguas province on Monday, July 16   was recovered on Wednesday.

He became the eight victim of death by drowning in the region.

The Civil Protection System  (Sinaproc) was activated, together with units of the National Aeronaval Service (Senan).

The body was found about 5 kilometers downstream from where the event occurred.

Three deaths have been reported this month of people who have been dragged by the currents of rivers in the  Las Palmas district.

Alfredo Alfonso, regional director of Sinaproc, Veraguas, regretted the continuing deaths due to drowning in the province, because despite the warnings people risk their lives crossing rivers and streams.