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2025 Guatemala City bus crash

Coordinates: 14°39′00″N 90°29′07″W / 14.65000°N 90.48528°W / 14.65000; -90.48528
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2025 Guatemala City bus crash
CCTV image showing the bus seconds before the crash, at upper right
2025 Guatemala City bus crash is located in Guatemala Department
2025 Guatemala City bus crash
Location of the accident
2025 Guatemala City bus crash is located in Guatemala
2025 Guatemala City bus crash
2025 Guatemala City bus crash (Guatemala)
Details
DateFebruary 10, 2025
c. 4:20 (GMT-6)
LocationZone 6, Las Vacas River, Guatemala City
Coordinates14°39′00″N 90°29′07″W / 14.65000°N 90.48528°W / 14.65000; -90.48528
CountryGuatemala
Incident typeRoadway departure
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Bus1
Passengers70+
Deaths55+ (including the bus driver and a Mexican national)
Injured9+

On the early morning of February 10, 2025, a bus carrying around 70 passengers veered off a bridge and fell into the Las Vacas River after colliding with other vehicles, in Zone 6, on the outskirts of Guatemala City, Guatemala.[1][2] The crash killed at least 55 people,[3] and seriously injured nine.[4]

Background

[edit]

Road accidents leading to high numbers of casualties had been common in Latin America in recent years, especially involving buses:[5]

Crash

[edit]

Around 4:20 (GMT-6), a densely packed bus—an extra-urban transport unit—owned by Transportes Tineca Sociedad Anónima and carrying more than 70 passengers was going into Guatemala City from El Progreso Department[a],[9] when it collided with other vehicles and fell approximately 20 metres (66 ft)[b] from Puente Belice, a highway bridge that crosses over a road and the Las Vacas River,[2] a sewage-polluted river in the capital.[12][1][5][13]

Eyewitnesses alleged seeing the vehicle hit two cars and a guardrail before falling into the ravine. Local media reported the bus had been crowded with students, commuters, and people on their way to the capital for medical appointments.[8] CCTV footage showed the bus traveling at a high speed moments before impact.[14]

The National Civil Police stated that they were supporting search and rescue efforts.[15] Mayor of Guatemala City Ricardo Quiñónez Lemus said that emergency services had been deployed while traffic police worked on establishing alternate routes in the affected area.[15]

Casualties

[edit]

Despite the initial report of 56 casualties,[c][16] a list of 54 fatal victims and their ages were released the following day.[17] Fifty-three died at the scene, reportedly including the 24-year-old driver, and two died in hospital after being rescued, bringing the number of fatalities to 55.[3] Nine people remain hospitalized as of February 10, with five in one hospital and four alive in another hospital where the two victims died.[4]

Mynor Ruano, a spokesman for the city's fire service, said that efforts were underway "to save other people who are trapped" in the wreckage. The bodies of 36 men and 15 women have been sent to a provincial morgue.[15]

Investigation

[edit]

Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Ángel Díaz Bobadilla initiated an investigation that revealed the bus had been active for 30 years but still had a valid license to operate. He said that the cause of the accident was still unknown and that investigators were looking into whether the bus was overloaded with passengers.[5]

Investigators said they would check if the driver could have lost control due to brake fade.[8]

The same day, the Public Ministry of Guatemala (MP) requested a post-mortem examination on the body of Billy Aníbal Foronda Azañón, the 24-year-old bus driver, to detect the presence of possible drugs.[18][8] Preliminary investigations determined that he did not have the proper bus driver's license.[19][12] The bus also was at an unapproved location.[20]

In addition, police found a gun in the wreckage, raising speculation that the driver may have panicked or been wounded when he was threatened with the gun. Deputy director-general of the National Civil Police Helver Beltetón said the weapon was registered to one of the deceased passengers, who worked as a private security guard, and that police were not "ruling out any hypothesis", adding that "the brakes could have failed but we're also not ruling out an accident or a criminal act, all that will be investigated".[8]

By February 15, the wreckage still remained at the accident site as the MP prosecutors continued to inspect it.[21]

Reactions

[edit]

Domestic

[edit]
Members of the Army and Police participating in the search and rescue efforts

President Bernardo Arévalo declared three days of national mourning and deployed the Guatemalan army along with the disaster agency to provide response efforts.[15][22]

President of the Congress of Guatemala Nery Ramos lamented the "tragic accident" where "more than four dozen Guatemalans lost their lives in search of daily sustenance".[15]

During an interview on TV Azteca Guate, deputy César Dávila stressed that a proposal to support victims' families was submitted at a meeting with parliamentary group leaders of the Congress. He also pointed out that they have discussed updating the traffic code, in force since 1996, to improve road safety and hold carriers responsible.[23]

International

[edit]

The governments of Taiwan,[24] Nicaragua,[25] the Maldives,[26] as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize,[27] Canada,[28] Costa Rica,[29] Cuba,[30] the Czech Republic,[31] the Dominican Republic,[32] El Salvador,[33] Estonia,[34] Kazakhstan,[35] Latvia,[36] Mexico,[37] Panama,[38] Serbia,[39] Turkey,[40] Ukraine,[41] Uruguay,[42] and the Central American Integration System expressed their condolences to the victims' families and the Guatemalan people.[43]

Pope Francis sent an apostolic blessing in a message read by Francisco Montecillo Padilla, the Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala, during a mass at the Cathedral of Guatemala City in memory of the victims of the accident.[44][45]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Divergent sources reported that the bus departed from either San Agustín Acasaguastlán or San Antonio La Paz.[5][8]
  2. ^ Other sources give 35 metres (115 ft)[10][11]
  3. ^ Guatemala City Fire Department spokesman Carlos Hernández alleged that 52 died at the scene, and four died in hospital

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "At least 50 die in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge". CNN. February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Al menos 55 muertos en Guatemala tras la caída de un autobús desde un puente". France 24 (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Guatemala police investigate bus crash which killed 55". www.bbc.com. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Listado de sobrevivientes del accidente en Puente Belice reciben atención médica". TV Azteca GUATE (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "At least 55 dead after Guatemala bus plunges into ravine". France 24. February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  6. ^ "Tabasco: Southern Mexico bus crash kills 41, authorities say". BBC. February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  7. ^ "Bus crash in Bolivia kills over 30 people". Reuters. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Guatemala police investigate bus crash which killed 55". BBC News. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  9. ^ "DGT brinda datos de bus accidentado y pide investigar para determinar responsabilidades". Emisoras Unidas (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  10. ^ "At least 51 are dead after a bus plunged off a bridge in Guatemala". www.9news.com.au. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  11. ^ "At least 51 die in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge". The Independent. February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Los detalles que da PNC sobre el piloto y la licencia que portaba para conducir bus accidentado en zona 6". LaHora.gt (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  13. ^ García, Jody; Abi-Habib, Maria. "Bus Plunges off Bridge in Guatemala City, Killing at Least 53". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  14. ^ "VIDEO: Revelan momento exacto previo a caer bus a hondonada en la zona 6". TV Azteca GUATE (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d e "At least 51 people killed in Guatemala bus crash". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  16. ^ "Bus plunges off a Guatemala bridge, killing at least 56 passengers". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  17. ^ "Los rostros de una tragedia: el duelo nacional por las 54 víctimas de un viaje sin retorno". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  18. ^ "MP solicita análisis toxicológicos al piloto del bus accidentado en Puente Belice". TV Azteca GUATE (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  19. ^ "Piloto del bus accidentado en el puente Belice conducía con licencia tipo C, confirman autoridades". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  20. ^ "Church expresses solidarity with victims' families, demands answers after Guatemala bus crash". Detroit Catholic. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  21. ^ "Bus accidentado bajo el puente Belice sigue bajo resguardo del MP por peritajes". Pensa Libre (in Spanish). February 15, 2025. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  22. ^ "Qué significa luto nacional en Guatemala: la medida que decretó Bernardo Arévalo por el accidente de bus que dejó 54 fallecidos". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  23. ^ "Estado de la Nación; Transporte público y el seguro contra terceros". TV Azteca GUATE (in Spanish). February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  24. ^ "Taiwan expresses condolences over fatal Guatemala bus accident". Taiwan Express. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  25. ^ "Nicaragua envía sus condolencias a Guatemala por el mortal accidente de un autobús". Swissinfo (in Spanish). February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  26. ^ "President Conveys Condolences Following Guatemala Bus Incident". The President's Office. February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  27. ^ Belize MFAFT 🇧🇿 [@MFABelize] (February 10, 2025). "On behalf of the government and people of Belize, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the devastating bus crash in Guatemala. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost their lives. Belize stands in solidarity with our neighbour during this incredibly difficult time. 🇧🇿🇬🇹
    @MinexGt @BArevalodeLeon"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ Foreign Policy CAN [@CanadaFP] (February 10, 2025). "Canada extends its deepest condolences to the people of #Guatemala following the tragic bus accident in Guatemala City. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and we wish a swift recovery to those injured" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ Cancillería Costa Rica 🇨🇷 [@CRcancilleria] (February 11, 2025). "El Gobierno y pueblo de Costa Rica, expresa sus más sinceras condolencias y solidaridad al pueblo hermano de Guatemala por el trágico accidente de autobús ocurrido el 10 de febrero en Ciudad de Guatemala, el cual provocó el fallecimiento de 54 personas

    @MinexGt @GuatemalaGob"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ Rodríguez P, Bruno [@BrunoRguezP] (February 10, 2025). "Enviamos sinceras condolencias al pueblo y gobierno de #Guatemala por el accidente ocurrido hoy en la capital de ese país centroamericano, en el cual perdieron la vida al menos 50 personas.

    Nos solidarizamos con las familias de las víctimas"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ Lipavský, Jan [@JanLipavsky] (February 11, 2025). "S hlubokým zármutkem jsem přijal zprávu o tragické nehodě autobusu v Guatemale, která si vyžádala mnoho životů. Vyjadřuji upřímnou soustrast rodinám a blízkým obětí a myslím na všechny, kteří byli touto tragédií zasaženi" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  32. ^ Cancillería de República Dominicana [@MIREXRD] (February 10, 2025). "El Gobierno dominicano expresa su solidaridad con la República de Guatemala, por el trágico accidente ocurrido en el día de hoy, tras el deslizamiento de un autobús por un puente ubicado en la zona norte de la capital guatemalteca, ocasionando la pérdida de vidas humanas. República Dominicana extiende sus condolencias a los familiares de cada una de las víctimas.

    @MinexGt @GuatemalaGob"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ "El Salvador extiende sus condolencias a Guatemala por tragedia vial que dejó más de 50 fallecidos". Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (in Spanish). February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  34. ^ Estonian MFA 🇪🇪 | 🌻 #StandWithUkraine [@MFAestonia] (February 10, 2025). "We send our heartfelt condolences to the people of Guatemala as they mourn the victims of a terrible bus crash that took place in Guatemala City.

    Our thoughts are with the families & loved ones of the victims. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

    @CRMartinezGT @MinexGt"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ MFA Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 [@MF_KZ] (February 11, 2025). "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan conveys its deepest condolences to the people of Guatemala following the tragic bus accident. We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families @MinexGt" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ Latvian MFA 🇱🇻 | #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 [@Latvian_MFA] (February 11, 2025). "Our condolences to the loved ones of those affected by the tragic bus crash in Guatemala. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. | @MinexGt" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ^ Relaciones Exteriores [@SRE_mx] (February 11, 2025). "La @SRE_mx lamenta el sensible fallecimiento de un connacional durante el accidente de autobús ocurrido ayer, en Guatemala, y extiende sus más sinceras condolencias a sus familiares y seres queridos.

    El @ConsulMexGuate dio seguimiento puntual al trágico accidente y se encuentra en contacto con las y los familiares de nuestro connacional, para brindar opportunamente la asistencia consular que se requiera, con base en las decisiones que tomen"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Javier [@javierachapma] (February 10, 2025). "•Mensaje de Condolencias al pueblo de Guatemala• @CRMartinezGT" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ MFA Serbia [@MFASerbia] (February 11, 2025). "As we hear the heartbreaking news of the tragic bus accident in #GuatemalaCity that claimed so many lives, we offer our sincerest sympathies to all those who have lost their loved ones, our colleagues at @MinexGt, and the people of #Guatemala.

    In this time of grief, #Serbia expresses its solidarity with you"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ Turkish MFA [@MFATurkiye] (February 11, 2025). "We are deeply saddened by the bus accident which took place in Guatemala City on 10 February 2025 and extend our condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Guatemala.🇹🇷🇬🇹

    Nos entristece profundamente el accidente de autobús que tuvo lugar en la Ciudad de Guatemala el 10 de febrero de 2025 y transmitimos nuestras condolencias a las familias de las víctimas y al pueblo de Guatemala. 🇹🇷🇬🇹 @MinexGt"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ Sybiha, Andrii [@andrii_sybiha] (February 10, 2025). "My deepest condolences to the people of Guatemala for the innocent lives lost in the tragic bus accident. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. Ukraine shares Guatemala's sorrow on this tragic day. @CRMartinezGT @MinexGt" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ Cancillería Uruguay 🇺🇾 [@CancilleriaUy] (February 11, 2025). "Ante el accidente en el Puente Belice, ciudad de Guatemala" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  43. ^ SICA – Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana [@sg_sica] (February 11, 2025). "El equipo directivo y personal de la Secretaría General del SICA expresa sus condolencias al pueblo de Guatemala 🇬🇹, ante la tragedia de bus accidentado en la calzada La Paz, bajo el puente Belice, en la zona 6 de la Ciudad de Guatemala, que ha dejado luto por la pérdida de vidas.

    Nos sumamos a las muestras de solidaridad con los familiares y seres queridos de las víctimas en estos momentos difíciles"     (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2025 – via Twitter.    {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ "Papa Francisco envía mensaje por fallecidos en accidente bajo puente Belice y pide por la recuperación de los heridos". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  45. ^ "Papa Francisco envía bendición apostólica tras tragedia en Guatemala". TV Azteca GUATE (in Spanish). February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
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