At least 55 people have died after a bus veered off a highway bridge into a polluted ravine in Guatemala City, leaving survivors trapped in the wreckage, Report informs via The Guardian.
The densely packed bus was carrying more than 70 people at the time of the accident early on Monday morning. It was traveling into the capital from the town of San Agustín Acasaguastlán when it plunged approximately 20 meters (66ft) from Puente Belice, a highway bridge that crosses over a road and creek.
Images shared by the fire department on social media showed the bus partially submerged in wastewater surrounded by victims’ bodies.
Guatemala’s president, Bernardo Arévalo, declared three days of national 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,” Arévalo said on social media.
The fire department said the driver lost control of the bus and collided with several small vehicles before plunging over the precipice.
