{"id":51130,"date":"2025-02-10T23:05:34","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T04:05:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bnonews.com\/?p=51130"},"modified":"2025-02-10T23:05:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T04:05:34","slug":"passenger-bus-plunges-off-bridge-in-guatemala-city-killing-54","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bnonews.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/passenger-bus-plunges-off-bridge-in-guatemala-city-killing-54\/","title":{"rendered":"Passenger bus plunges off bridge in Guatemala City, killing 54"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A bus accident in Guatemala has left 54 people dead after the vehicle plunged off a bridge, according to officials, prompting the government to declare a period of national mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accident occurred when a bus carrying more than 60 passengers apparently lost control, crashing into other vehicles at full speed before plunging 65 feet (20 meters) off the Belice Bridge in Guatemala City, according<\/a> to state media. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 54 passengers were killed, while nine others were rescued and are being treated in local hospitals with varying injuries, some in serious condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bodies of 45 victims have been identified<\/a>, while nine remain pending identification. Among the deceased, at least 36 are men and 15 are women, including an undetermined number of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bus driver and the co-pilot were among the fatalities. Both will undergo post-mortem toxicology tests to determine whether alcohol or other substances were involved at the time of the crash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Investigators are also examining whether the bus experienced brake failure and are assessing the condition of the unit, which was reported to be at least 30 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the tragedy, the government of Guatemala declared three days of national mourning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The tragedy at the Belice Bridge is a national pain that I deeply regret,” said Guatemalan President Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo. “I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims who today woke up to heartbreaking news. Their pain is my pain.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udea8Video muestra cuando bus extraurbano que se accident\u00f3 en calzada La Paz pasa sem\u00e1foro en rojo a gran velocidad; se cree que hab\u00eda perdido el control de los frenos.#CalzadaLaPAz<\/a> #PuenteBelice<\/a> #Accidente<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SIJ7Cw2GFa<\/a><\/p>— Canal Antigua (@CanalAntigua) February 10, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>