At least 51 are dead after a bus plunged off a bridge in Guatemala

At least 51 people are dead after their bus plunged off a bridge Monday on the outskirts of Guatemala’s capital, said Hector Flores, who was helping coordinate the municipal government’s response.

Others were seriously injured.

Firefighting spokesman Edwin Villagran said a multi-vehicle crash sent the bus off the bridge before dawn.

The bus fell 115 feet into a sewage-polluted stream. It landed upside down and half-submerged.

“The bust was at capacity. It was quite full,” said a firefighter at the scene, “When they fell, these people were on top of each other and were left with internal injuries and this caused almost instantaneous death.”

The bus had come from Progreso, northeast of the capital.

Volunteer firefighting spokesman Óscar Sánchez said children were among the victims.

President Bernardo Arévalo offered his condolences and declared a day of national mourning.