A bus plunged into a ravine along Guatemala’s Inter-American Highway, killing at least 15 people, authorities said.
President Bernardo Arevalo declared three days of national mourning following the crash, which occurred on 26 December near the 174km marker of the highway.
The mountainous area is known as Cumbre de Alaska, in the western department of Totonicapan.
The bus was traveling from Guatemala City to Totonicapan when it lost control and fell approximately 330 feet (100 metres) into a ravine.
Emergency crews spent more than two hours trying to rescue the injured and retrieve the bodies of the dead.
Authorities also worked to clear the wreckage, which led to a temporary suspension of traffic along the busy route.
In a message posted online, President Arevalo expressed his condolences to the victims’ families.
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“I deeply regret the tragedy that occurred on the Inter-American Highway,” he said.
“From the government of Guatemala, we have been coordinating all necessary assistance for those affected, while standing with those who have lost family members and loved ones.”
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Traffic accidents involving public transportation remain a major concern in Guatemala.
Between January and October 2025, the National Transit Safety Observatory recorded 446 accidents involving public transport vehicles, which led to 111 deaths and 623 injuries.
