Guatemala authorities announced on Saturday (December 27) that a bus accident occurred on the Pan-American Highway in western Guatemala, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 19 injuries.
According to Reuters, spokesperson Leandro Amado of the local fire department told the media, “This traffic accident has resulted in 15 deaths – 11 males, 3 females, and 1 minor.” He also added that approximately 19 injured individuals have been taken to nearby hospitals.
The accident took place on Friday along the stretch of the Pan-American Highway between kilometers 172 and 174 in the Solola Department, an area known for its dense fog and low visibility.
Early on Saturday, images shared by the fire department on social media showed rescuers working to extricate trapped individuals from the wrecked bus that had plunged into the ravine.
Guatemala has seen frequent traffic accidents. Earlier this week, a collision between a bus and a truck resulted in at least 21 deaths, including 7 children, and 11 others were injured. In February of this year, a bus plunged into a ravine in the northern outskirts of Guatemala City, claiming the lives of 54 people.