The water meant to cool off revelers during Carnival instead became the cause of death for an 8-year-old child in Penonomé and the disappearance of an adult in Chiriquí. In the Las Mendozas area, the 8-year-old child lost his life this Sunday during Carnival while in a river area without adult supervision. Rescue units responded to the alert, but it was already too late. The child was pulled from the water with no vital signs. Grief set in within minutes in the same spot where laughter and splashes had just moments before filled the air. Meanwhile, in the province of Chiriquí, another incident has family and authorities on edge: a man disappeared after entering a recreational area amid the celebrations. Search teams have activated operations in the area, hoping for a different outcome. Carnival, water, and carelessness: a combination that claims its toll year after year. Authorities have reiterated the call for strict supervision of children and to avoid excesses, especially in rivers and beaches where currents can change in an instant. Amidst foam, music, and the rhythm of the tamborito, this Sunday left a painful lesson: water does not forgive distractions.
