Two rescue workers died after being swept away by a flash flood in the Macho de Monte River in Tierras Altas, Chiriquí province, authorities confirmed. The men were participating in a high-mountain training exercise when a sudden surge of water overwhelmed the group, and their final actions saved the rest of the team in what officials described as a heroic rescue act.
Omar Smith, director of Panama’s National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), confirmed that search teams located the bodies in the upper basin of the river early Wednesday morning. Recovery operations were expected to take one to two hours due to the treacherous terrain.
Heroic Rescue During Mountain Training Exercise in Macho de Monte
The incident occurred while the group was conducting a high-mountain course involving rappelling maneuvers. A sudden flash flood, known locally as a “cabeza de agua,” struck without warning. The roaring river made verbal warnings nearly impossible, though a lookout positioned in the upper basin attempted to alert the team.
The two victims were stationed at the safety line. When they noticed the water level rising rapidly, they moved immediately to evacuate the remaining personnel.
“It was a heroic rescue act. If they had not made the decision they made to evacuate the rest, the story would have been very different,” [Translated from Spanish]
Smith said, describing the men as “exceptional beings.”
Smith clarified that weather conditions are monitored before every operation and no active flood alerts were in place. The only warning came from the team member stationed in the upper basin.
Victims Identified as Experienced Rescue Personnel
One of the deceased was the leader of mountain operations in Volcán and was directing the exercise. The other served as a volunteer monitor from a private company. Their identities have not been publicly released pending family notification.
Recovery teams deployed four primary rescuers with four additional support personnel using pulley systems and anchor rigging.
“It is a high-risk operation,” [Translated from Spanish]
Smith noted, describing the technical challenges of retrieving the bodies from the upper basin.
Investigation Underway and Survivors Receive Support
The surviving team members are physically stable, according to Smith. A volunteer psychologist was transported to the area during the early morning hours to provide emotional intervention, though Smith acknowledged that psychological recovery will take time.
An internal investigation has been opened to clarify all details surrounding the tragedy. The Public Ministry has personnel at the Tierras Altas site to conduct the official recovery and documentation of the bodies. The incident involved both Sinaproc members and volunteers from private companies.
The deaths have prompted reflection on safety protocols for river-based training operations in Panama’s mountainous regions. Flash floods in the Chiriquí highlands can develop rapidly, particularly during the rainy season when water levels in rivers like the Macho de Monte can rise dramatically within minutes. The tragedy marks a significant loss for Panama’s emergency response community, where the two men were known for their dedication and expertise in mountain rescue operations.