national

SAN-100 crash site stays closed

Sinaproc recommends that the helicopter crash site remain closed until the total damage is assessed.

Maydeé Romero/LA PRENSA

crash site: The Banana Price warehouse and nearby kiosks on Calle Q in Calidonia are off-limits for the time being. 1040105

The Banana Price warehouse in Calidonia, which was heavily damaged when a SAN-100 helicopter crashed into the building on May 29, may not reopen.

Experts from the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá y del Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (Sinaproc) have reviewed the property and reported “visible damage” to the building’s roof, side walls and top floor columns. The roof and foundation may have to be removed to determine whether the first floor slabs can still support weight.

The Sinaproc report recommends keeping Calle Q, the street in front of Banana Price, closed “until the work of removing rubble from the area is completed,” suggesting that the kiosks in the immediate area would also be off-limits.

The owners of the Banana Price warehouse don’t intend to reopen in Calidonia, according to one of the company’s employees who asked to remain anonymous, and hope that their insurance will cover them for their losses.

Juan Murillo, legal representative for the vendors’ union, including 12 vendors whose Calle Q kiosks remain closed, said yesterday that they’re considering new street protests since the city hasn’t responded to their complaints..

Eliécer Barsallo of the Alcaldía de Panamá explained that although neither Sinaproc nor the Cuerpo de Bomberos have issued an official statement about the condition of the kiosks and the city can take no action in the meantime.

However, Barsallo added that the owners of the kiosks have shown no interest in being relocated, which could be a possible solution to their problem.

Other businesses and residents in the area confirmed that light, water and other basic services have been restored.