Tragedy in Guatemala: Bus crash kills least 56 people
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 16
A bus in Guatemala City crashed off the Belice Bridge, plunging 115 feet into a river and killing at least 56 people.
On February 10, 2025, a catastrophic bus accident occurred in Guatemala City, resulting in the deaths of at least 56 individuals and leaving numerous others injured.
The incident took place in the early hours when a bus, reportedly traveling at high speed from San Agustín Acasaguastlán towards the capital, collided with two vehicles before crashing through a guardrail on the Belice Bridge. The vehicle plunged approximately 115 feet into the Las Vacas River, a sewage-polluted ravine below, landing upside down and partially submerged.
36 men and 15 women
Rescue operations were promptly initiated by the municipal fire department, with efforts extending over six hours. First responders faced significant challenges due to the bus's precarious position and the polluted environment.
They utilized specialized equipment to access the interior of the bus, where many passengers were trapped. The bodies of 36 men and 15 women were recovered and transported to a provisional morgue established near the accident site.
Among the deceased was the 25-year-old driver, Billy Aníbal Foronda.
National mourning
In response to the tragedy, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo declared three days of national mourning and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. El Pais is writing that also deployed the army and the national disaster agency to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The National Civil Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, examining factors such as potential mechanical failure, driver error, and the possibility of the bus being overloaded.
Authorities in Guatemala are being called upon to implement stricter regulations on vehicle maintenance, enforce speed limits, and improve infrastructure to prevent such devastating events in the future.
Several similar accidents
This incident is one of the deadliest road accidents in Guatemala's recent history. The country has experienced several similar tragedies in the past.
One notable incident occurred on September 9, 2013, near San Martín Jilotepeque. A passenger bus from Transportes Sanmartineca, carrying over 80 passengers, missed a sharp bend on the road connecting San Martín Jilotepeque to Chimaltenango and fell into a 200-meter-deep ravine. The accident resulted in 48 fatalities and 37 injuries.
