In addition to the collapse in the National Stadium yesterday, two falling trees blocked the main road access to the Francisco Morazán residential area; on the Armed Forces, John Paul II, Morazán, and Los Próceres boulevards, billboards and trees fell on the roadways blocking vehicular traffic; and the electrical service was disrupted in different parts of the city as well.

The head of the State Permanent Commission on Contingencies (COPECO), Lisandro Rosales, reported that after the collapse of the Armed Forces boulevard in August, (and other problems that have arisen in the city), they began inspections at the rate of about 25 locations per day. Rosales made the announcement yesterday at a press conference at the presidential palace, noting that the National Congress building was inspected and is considering a series of recommendations. The same is being done in hospitals and schools. Rosales urged private enterprises to collaborate with the State in making assessments of their buildings in order to prevent further damage in the future.

The official said that the Honduran territory was left vulnerable from the 7.3 earthquake on May 28th last year. Many of the structures are giving way from the degradation of the combined environmental hits.

At the press conference, it was announced that the National Stadium would be temporarily closed, despite the fact that structural damage has been ruled out. The Sports Commission (Conap) adviser, Joaquín Torres, explained that the collapse at the stadium was due to corrosion and poor maintenance, which combined with the heavy rain and high winds, caused the wall to yield. He clarified that the main structure of the National Stadium, the stands and foundations, are in perfect condition.

Rosales of COPECO also reported other damage from the rains in various parts of the country, particularly in the villages of Danlí and El Paraíso, where there was a disappearance of two people, and in Comayagua, were the Humuya river overflowed.