CHILDREN  returning to school on Monday Mar. 6,  following the summer break, found flags flying at half mast and before singing the national anthem  they were asked to  observe a minute’s silence for 18  indigenous farm workers who died  the day before, when their bus plunged from a bridge to a river 60 meters below.

President Juan Carlos Varela who visited the scene of the tragedy on Sunday,  declared Monday a National Day of reflection.

Meanwhile, the number of injured in hospitals scattered across three provinces was upgraded to 39, as their names were released.

The workers who had left Punta Peña de Chiriquí at  Grande, Bocas del Toro at 7 am  were en route to  a to pick water melons at a farm  in Gorgona de Chame whose owner had  chartered the bus.  Most of the workers were from Kusapín.

Three Helicopters of the Naval Air Service  were used to transport critically injured patients to Santo Tomas Hospital, but two died soon after arrival.

"We will  give all our  support to the families of these Panamanian workers who lost their lives on the way to do their job," said Varela.

The Civil Defense  Service (Sinaproc) has  activated a number to give information to relatives of the injured  and deceased, and to coordinate hospital transfers.

A total of 39 workers  remain hospitalized Five  are in Santo Tomás Hospital, one of whom is in intensive care.

The  other 34 victims are being treated at the Aquilino Tejeira Hospital in Penonomé, the Doctor Rafael Estévez Hospital in Aguadulce, Arnulfo Arias Madrid Metropolitan Hospital Complex in Panama, and the Dr Gustavo Nelson Collado Hospital in Chitré.