Guatemala City, 28 December (H.S.): At least 15 people lost their lives and 19 others sustained injuries in a horrific road accident on Saturday along the Inter-American Highway in western Guatemala. According to officials, a passenger bus went out of control and plunged into a deep ravine, triggering panic and chaos at the scene.Leandro Amado, spokesman for the local fire department, confirmed that the deceased include 11 men, three women, and one minor.

Rescue teams swiftly reached the site and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, where several victims remain in critical condition.The fatal crash occurred in the Sololá Department between Kilometer 172 and 174 — a mountainous region notorious for dense fog and poor visibility.

Preliminary investigations suggest that heavy fog and slippery road conditions may have contributed to the accident.Photographs released by the fire brigade show the bus lying mangled at the bottom of the ravine while rescuers worked tirelessly to retrieve passengers from the wreckage. Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar