At least 55 individuals lost their lives in Guatemala when a bus crashed through a guard rail and fell into a ravine, as reported by authorities, marking one of the most tragic road accidents in Latin America in recent years.
The bus was transporting approximately 70 passengers when it plunged into a river tainted with sewage in Guatemala City, complicating rescue efforts for those attempting to recover bodies.
“So far, 53 people have died at the scene,” a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office, Moises Ortiz, informed reporters.
Two additional fatalities occurred after several injured individuals were admitted to the San Juan de Dios Hospital, according to spokesperson Marlyn Perez.
The bus was transporting around 70 passengers when it fell into a river tainted with sewage.
Rosa Lopez shared with reporters that four of her nieces and nephews were believed to have been on the bus.
“When we learned about the accident on the news, we rushed straight here,” she stated.
Injured passengers were transferred to hospitals, with many reported to be in critical condition.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo expressed his condolences regarding the tragedy and announced a three-day national mourning period.
“Today is a challenging day for the Guatemalan nation,” he remarked.
Murky waters
The fire department indicated that the driver seemingly lost control of the bus and collided with several smaller vehicles before careening over the precipice.
The driver apparently lost control of the bus and struck multiple small vehicles before going over the cliff.
“The bus continued forward, broke through a metal railing, and fell into a ravine approximately 20 meters deep until it reached the sewage-contaminated river,” Carlos Hernandez from the department told reporters.
AFPTV footage displayed firefighters carrying bodies pulled from the murky waters, filled with debris, up the slope on stretchers.
“We’re facing challenges with the rescue efforts,” remarked firefighter Luis Quintanilla.
The bus was en route to Guatemala City from the town of San Agustin Acasaguastlan in the El Progreso department, located about 90km to the northeast, as per authorities.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo declared a three-day national mourning period.
Communications Minister Miguel Angel Diaz stated that an initial investigation revealed the bus was 30 years old, yet still possessed a valid operating license.
He mentioned that the cause of the early morning accident remains unclear and that investigators are examining whether the bus was overloaded with passengers.
The public prosecutor’s office has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Fatal road accidents are a common occurrence in Central and South America.
In January 2018, a bus crash in Peru claimed the lives of 52 people when it fell off a cliff onto a beach north of the capital, Lima.
In Brazil, a tourist bus accident in March 2015 resulted in 54 fatalities in the southern state of Santa Catarina.
