Pope Francis expressed his "sadness" on Thursday over the accident of a bus in which 40 migrants crossing Panama died and joined "the pain of the relatives and friends of the deceased."

"The Holy Father has received with deep sadness the news of a bus accident, which occurred in the Gualaca area, in which several migrants have lost their lives and others are injured," says a telegram sent by the Secretary of State for the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The message, written in Spanish and addressed to Cardinal José Luis Lacunza, Bishop of David, adds: "His Holiness Francisco joins the pain of the relatives and friends of the deceased and asks for the speedy recovery of the injured."

"While he heartily imparts the comforting apostolic blessing, as a sign of hope in the risen Lord," he concludes.

The authorities raised the death toll to 40 on Thursday, including children, in the accident of a bus that was carrying migrants to a shelter located near the border with Costa Rica on Wednesday.

In the accident, which occurred around 4:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT) in Gualaca,  Chiriquí located about 450 kilometers from the capital, more than 20 people were injured, according to authorities.