National Mourning
In February 2025, tragedy struck Guatemala when a crowded passenger bus carrying nearly 70 people veered off a bridge and plunged into a river below. The devastating crash claimed at least 55 lives and left many others injured, making it one of the deadliest transport accidents in Central America in recent years.
The bus, en route from a rural village to Guatemala City, was reportedly overcrowded, with passengers standing in aisles and luggage crammed into corners. Witnesses say the driver lost control on a sharp curve before smashing through the guardrail. Survivors described chaos, screams, and desperate escapes through shattered windows as the bus began to sink. Local fishermen and residents rushed to help, pulling people from the water until rescuers arrived.
Emergency services, police, and Red Cross teams worked tirelessly, recovering victims and transporting the injured to overwhelmed hospitals. The government declared a national day of mourning, as President Bernardo Arévalo vowed reforms to improve road safety.
Communities now gather for vigils, remembering loved ones lost. This heartbreaking event has drawn global sympathy while spotlighting urgent calls for safer transportation across Guatemala.
