BOGOTA: Panama’s consul to Bogota, her husband and another family member died when their car was swept away by a full river in the rural southwest of Colombia battered by heavy rains.

Telma Deleise Barria was travelling with her husband and fellow diplomat Pedro Cantillo, another family member and two other people when they ran into trouble trying to cross the Frio river in an official vehicle.

The events occurred around 7pm on Monday and Barria’s body was recovered by rescue workers four hours later. Two more bodies were found on Tuesday morning. The other two people in the car were unharmed.

The five were on their way to a rest spot that can only be reached by crossing the river.

“The ministry of foreign affairs regrets the death of the Consul of Panama in Colombia and her husband.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2021