Rain and Mudslides Kill 14, Destroy Homes
Panama declared a state of emergency after torrential rains and mudslides killed 14 people and wrecked or damaged the homes of about 10,000 people.
President Martin Torrijos, whose newly installed government is under pressure to overhaul state finances, announced the creation of a disaster fund for victims. The areas east and northeast of the capital, Panama City, were hit the hardest.
Worst hit were poor residential areas near rivers. Emergency workers were searching for at least 20 people swept away after rivers burst their banks.
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