The bus was moving on a busy route in and out of Guatemala’s capital on Monday when it fell from Puente Belice, a highway bridge that crosses over a road and creek.
Footage shared by the fire department on social media showed rescue workers pulling victims out of the contaminated ravine. Images showed the bus upside down.
“I stand in solidarity with the families of the victims who today woke up to heartbreaking news,” he said. “Their pain is my pain.”
The President of Guatemala’s Congress also released a statement on social media lamenting the “tragic accident” where “more than four dozen Guatemalans lost their lives in search of daily sustenance”.
Guatemala City Mayor Ricardo Quinonez said on social media that emergency services had been deployed while traffic police worked on establishing alternate routes in the affected area.
The National Civil Police said that they were supporting search and rescue efforts and would give “all the necessary support”.
