At least 50 dead in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge

(CLO) A bus plunged off a bridge into a polluted stream in Guatemala City early Monday morning, killing at least 54 people and injuring 20, according to a city fire department spokesman.

The Guatemalan Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing said the bus carrying 75 people was entering the capital from the town of San Agustin Acasaguastlan when it plunged about 20 meters (65 feet) as it passed over Puente Belice, a highway bridge over a stream.

Accident scene. Screenshot

Spokesman Carlos Hernandez said the bodies of 36 men and 15 women were taken to the provincial morgue set up to handle the accident.

Images shared by the fire department on social media showed the bus partially submerged in sewage, surrounded by the bodies of victims.

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Video of the moment before the bus plunged into the ravine (source: IES)

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

"My condolences to the families of the victims who woke up today to the heartbreaking news. Their pain is my pain," Mr. Arevalo shared on social media.

Hoang Huy (according to MCID, GFD, Reuters, UPI)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/it-nhat-50-nguoi-chet-o-guatemala-sau-khi-xe-bust-lao-khoi-cau-post333924.html