Bus Plunge into Ravine in Guatemala Kills at Least 51
A tragic accident outside Guatemala City has claimed the lives of at least 51 people and left others injured after a bus plunged into a polluted ravine, Al Jazeera reports.
Mynor Ruano, a spokesperson for the city’s fire service, reported that rescue efforts were underway to reach individuals still trapped within the wreckage. The bodies of 36 men and 15 women have been recovered and transported to a provincial morgue.
The bus was traveling a busy route in and out of Guatemala’s capital when it plummeted from Puente Belice, a highway bridge that spans a road and creek. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The President of Guatemala’s Congress issued a statement on social media expressing grief over the “tragic accident” where “more than four dozen Guatemalans lost their lives in search of daily sustenance.”
Guatemala City Mayor Ricardo Quinonez announced on social media that emergency services were deployed to the scene, and traffic police were working to establish alternate routes in the affected area.
The National Civil Police have pledged their support for the search and rescue operations, promising to provide “all the necessary support” during this difficult time.
