At least 50 killed as bus plunges off Guatemala bridge

A bus has veered off a highway bridge into a polluted ravine in Guatemala City, killing at least 51 people and trapping survivors, a spokesman for the city's fire department says.

The densely packed bus was travelling into the capital from the town of San Agustin Acasaguastlan on a busy route into the city from when it plunged approximately 20 metres from Puente Belice, a highway bridge that crosses over a road and creek.

Spokesman Carlos Hernandez said the bodies of 36 men and 15 women had been sent to a provincial morgue set up for the accident.

La tragedia en el Puente Belice es un dolor nacional que lamento profundamente. Me solidarizo con las familias de las v?ctimas que hoy amanecen con una noticia desgarradora. Su dolor es mi dolor.Como Presidente, he instruido movilizar al personal del Ej?rcito Nacional y a la?? Bernardo Ar?valo (@BArevalodeLeon) February 10, 2025

Images shared by the fire department on social media showed the bus partially submerged in wastewater surrounded by victims' bodies.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo declared three days of mourning and deployed the country's army and disaster agency to assist response efforts.

"I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims who today woke up to heartbreaking news. Their pain is my pain," Arevalo said on social media.