Taiwan expresses condolences over fatal Guatemala bus accident

Taipei, Feb. 11 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Tuesday extended its condolences to the people and government of Guatemala following a bus crash on Monday that killed more than 50 people.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) expressed their condolences via messages on their respective X accounts following the accident on the outskirts of Guatemala City.

"Extending deepest condolences from the people of Taiwan to the people of Guatemala following the tragic bus accident. We are praying for the swift recovery of those injured, and our hearts are with the victims' families and loved ones in this time of mourning," Lai said in his post on X.

"Sincere condolences to the people of Guatemala, especially the families of the victims in this tragic accident. We are with you," Hsiao said in her post.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic bus accident on the Puente Belice in Guatemala. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims and the Guatemalan people. I also wish a swift recovery for the injured during this difficult time," Lin said in his post.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's embassy in the Central American nation also extended its condolences to the Guatemalan government.

"In this moment of deep pain, we stand in solidarity with the Guatemalan people and mourn the irreparable loss."

According to an AP report, at least 55 people have died after a bus plunged into a ravine beneath the Belize Bridge on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital on Monday.

Firefighter spokesperson Edwin Villagran was quoted by AP as saying that a multi-vehicle crash caused the bus to veer off the road and plunge into the steep gorge beneath the Belize Bridge before dawn. Several others were seriously injured.

The bus fell 35 meters into a sewage-polluted stream, landing upside down and partially submerged.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared three days of national mourning and deployed the country's army and disaster agency to assist with response effort.