GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (AP) – A tragic accident occurred in Guatemala when an intermunicipal bus veered off a road and plunged into a deep ravine, resulting in the deaths of 15 passengers and leaving at least 15 others injured. The incident took place on Friday night near the town of Totonicapan along the Interamerican Road, prompting authorities to declare three days of national mourning.

Rescue efforts were challenging, with officials reporting that it took over two hours to recover the bodies from the crash site and to rescue the injured passengers. Those wounded in the incident, totaling 15 individuals, are currently receiving treatment at several local hospitals.

President Bernardo Arevalo expressed his deep condolences regarding the tragedy on social media, stating, "I profoundly regret the tragedy which happened along the Interamerican Route. We are coordinating all necessary actions to assist those who have been affected."

Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Guatemala, a mountainous nation where transportation regulations are often loosely enforced. Many towns and cities in the country are interconnected by narrow, two-lane roads that can be hazardous, particularly for larger vehicles like buses.

Statistics from the National Transportation Safety Observatory, a government agency, highlight the severity of the situation. In October 2023, it was reported that 446 public transportation vehicles in Guatemala were involved in accidents, resulting in 111 fatalities and over 600 injuries throughout the year.

This recent accident underscores the persistent challenges related to road safety in Guatemala, raising concerns about the enforcement of safety regulations and the overall condition of public transportation systems. The government’s response to this latest tragedy reflects the urgent need for improvements in transportation safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.