51 Lives Lost in Guatemala Bus Crash, President Announces National Mourning

Guatemala (The Uttam Hindu): At least 51 people lost their lives on Monday in Guatemala City after a bus crashed through a guardrail and plunged into a ravine. The tragedy is considered one of the worst road accidents in Latin America in recent years.

The overcrowded bus was traveling from the town of San Agustin Acasaguastlan to the capital when it veered off Puente Belice, a highway bridge falling approximately 20 meters. Authorities confirmed that the victims included 36 men and 15 women, whose bodies were transported to a temporary morgue.

Rescue teams managed to pull 10 survivors from the wreckage as emergency responders worked tirelessly at the scene.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo expressed deep sorrow over the incident, declaring three days of national mourning. The government has deployed the army and disaster relief teams to assist with rescue operations and support affected families.

Initial investigations revealed that the bus was 30 years old but still had a valid license to operate. Officials are examining whether mechanical failure or passenger overload contributed to the accident. Fatal road crashes remain a major concern in Central and South America, where overcrowded and aging vehicles frequently lead to devastating accidents.