A tragic bus accident in Guatemala has claimed the lives of at least 50 people after the vehicle plunged off a bridge into a ravine. The incident occurred on Monday morning on a busy section of highway outside Guatemala City. The bus, which was carrying 75 passengers, veered off the Puente Belice bridge and fell approximately 65 feet into a sewage-polluted stream below.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and the Guatemalan army, quickly arrived at the scene to rescue survivors and recover the bodies of the deceased. The fire department reported that 20 passengers were rescued and rushed to area hospitals for treatment. The bodies of 36 men and 15 women were taken to a temporary morgue set up for the accident.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with authorities considering factors such as potential brake failure and the driver’s condition. The driver, Billy Foronda, 24, died in the crash, while his brother, who was working as his assistant, survived.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and declared a period of national mourning. He also instructed the army and the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction to provide special assistance to the injured.
This accident is considered one of the worst bus disasters in Guatemala’s history, and the nation mourns the loss of so many lives.
