At least 15 people were killed and 19 others injured after an intercity bus fell into a ravine on the Pan-American route in western Guatemala, local authorities said Saturday.
A bus fell into a chasm in Guatemala PHOTO: X/ @pronobismundo
“The death toll in this road accident is at least 15″said Leandro Amado, spokesman for the Guatemalan volunteer firefighters, according to Agerpres. Among the victims are 11 men, three women and a minor.
The bus, belonging to the Sinaloa company and serving the route between Ciudad de Guatemala and the department of San Marcos, located on the border with Mexico, fell into a ravine about 75 meters deep, for reasons still unknown.
Amado stated that the tragedy occurred at kilometer 174 of the Pan-American route, in an area known as “Peak of Alaska” due to the rugged relief, in the department of Totonicapan, in the west of the country.
Road safety in Guatemala
Fatal accidents are common in Guatemala. In February, another passenger bus plunged into a ravine north of Guatemala City, killing 54 people.
Shortly after that tragedy, President Bernardo Arevalo approved compulsory insurance for motor vehicles. However, the measure was suspended following strong protests by transport workers.
