A bus careened off a highway bridge into a polluted ravine in Guatemala City early Monday, resulting in at least 51 fatalities and trapping survivors, according to the city’s fire department spokesperson.
The heavily loaded bus was traveling to the capital from San Agustin Acasaguastlan when it fell approximately 20 meters (65 feet) from the Puente Belice bridge.
Fire department spokesman Carlos Hernandez reported that 36 men and 15 women died in the accident, with their bodies sent to a provincial morgue established for the incident. Images shared by the fire department showed the bus partially submerged in wastewater, surrounded by the victims.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced three days of national mourning and mobilized the army and disaster agency to assist in the recovery efforts.
“I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims who today woke up to heartbreaking news. Their pain is my pain,” Arevalo stated on social media.
Credit: CNN
