51 Killed in Bus Crash in Guatemala

A tragic bus accident in Guatemala has left at least 51 people dead after the vehicle veered off a highway and plunged into a ravine on Monday.

Survivors remain trapped at the scene as rescue operations continue.

According to Carlos Hernández, a spokesperson for Guatemala City’s fire department, the bodies of 36 men and 15 women have been transported to a temporary morgue set up to handle the high number of casualties.

Images shared by emergency services show the wreckage of the bus partially submerged in wastewater, surrounded by bodies of victims.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has declared three days of national mourning and deployed the military and disaster relief authorities to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

Arévalo expressed his condolences to the victims' families, stating that their pain is his pain. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident as the country grapples with one of its deadliest road tragedies in recent years.