Guatemala declared a national mourning: 15 dead in a terrible bus accident

Tragic incident in Guatemala

According to Главком: Guatemala has announced a three-day national mourning due to a traffic accident that occurred on December 26. As a result of the accident, 15 people died, and at least 15 more passengers were injured. The incident took place on the Inter-American Highway near the town of Totonicapán, where the bus veered off the road and fell into a ravine.

The rescue operation lasted over two hours, during which the injured were taken to local hospitals. All 15 wounded are under medical supervision. Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo is coordinating assistance for the victims, providing necessary support and resources.

Traffic safety situation

It is worth noting that by October 2025, Guatemala had recorded 446 accidents involving public transport, resulting in over a hundred fatalities. The main causes of the high accident rate in the country are:

• challenging mountainous terrain;
• a network of narrow two-lane roads;
• low level of enforcement of traffic regulations.

This tragedy highlights the relevance of the traffic safety issue in Guatemala, where accidents involving public transport are a common occurrence. The country’s authorities must take measures to improve infrastructure and enforcement of regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The national mourning also reflects the deep pain of society and the necessity of supporting the victims and their families during this difficult time.