Abdelrahman
Authorities in Guatemala are probing the circumstances surrounding a tragic accident in which a passenger bus crashed through a guardrail and plunged into a ravine.
At least 55 of the approximately 70 individuals on board lost their lives in this devastating incident, which occurred during the early hours of Monday.
Rescue teams faced challenges retrieving the victims from the creek into which the bus fell.
In response to this tragedy, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has announced three days of national mourning for those who lost their lives, marking this as one of the most severe road accidents in the area in recent years.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus fell from the Belice bridge [EPA]
According to officials, the bus typically operated along the route connecting San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán to Guatemala City.
On the day of the accident, it had departed from the village of San Antonio La Paz at around 04:00 local time.
Approximately 30 minutes later, it fell 20 meters (65 feet) from a bridge into a creek that was carrying wastewater, located on the outskirts of Guatemala City.
Images from the accident site depict the bus overturned, with its wheels in the air and partially submerged in the shallow water.
Local news outlets reported that the bus was filled with students, commuters, and individuals heading to medical appointments in the capital.
The bus was overturned, complicating rescue operations [Reuters]
As news of the bus accident spread, anxious family members gathered at the bridge, seeking information about their loved ones.
One woman shared with Guatemalan news outlet La Hora that her 67-year-old husband had left home at 4 a.m. but had never arrived at his workplace.
Another individual identified her brother’s body, confirming he was one of the passengers on the bus.
Family members anxiously awaited updates at the crash scene as rescuers worked tirelessly [Reuters]
Rescue operations reported that 53 bodies have been recovered so far.
Tragically, two survivors later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, raising the death toll to 55.
Among those who lost their lives was the 24-year-old bus driver.
Witnesses recounted that they saw the bus collide with two vehicles before it crashed through the guardrail and fell into the chasm.
Authorities stated they will investigate whether brake failure caused the driver to lose control.
Guatemala’s communications minister, Miguel Díaz Bobadilla, confirmed that the bus was around 30 years old but had a current permit to carry passengers.
Díaz Bobadilla further indicated that officials would assess whether the bus may have exceeded its weight capacity.
Authorities are also looking into a firearm discovered on the bus.
The presence of the weapon has led to speculation in local reports that the driver may have been threatened or panicked, contributing to the crash.
Helver Beltetón, deputy director-general of Guatemala’s National Civil Police, mentioned that the weapon was registered to a deceased passenger who worked in private security.
Beltetón added that authorities are not discounting any theories.
He emphasized that while brake failure is a possibility, they are also considering the potential for an accident or criminal activity, and all factors will be thoroughly investigated.
