TEGUCOGALPA: At least 17 persons were killed in a devastating bus crash on Wednesday in northwestern Honduras, according to statements from firefighters at the scene. The collision took place at dawn on a winding, mountainous road with a single lane in each direction, resulting in an additional 12 people sustaining injuries.
Reports indicate that one of the buses involved, which was empty after dropping off a group of migrants at the Guatemala border, was en route back to central Honduras. Meanwhile, the other bus, a smaller vehicle, was carrying passengers towards the city of Santa Rosa de Copan.
The injured persons were immediately transported to a hospital in Santa Rosa de Copan, situated approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.
Frequent Road Accidents in Honduras
Road accidents stand as the second leading cause of death in Honduras, following homicides, as per official statistics. Local media sources have confirmed that all the victims of this tragic incident were Honduran nationals.
In response to the crash, President Xiomara Castro expressed her profound sorrow and offered condolences to the families of those who perished. She assured that all necessary support and assistance would be provided by relevant government agencies during this challenging time.
This tragic accident underscores the dangers posed by transportation on Honduras’ roadways, particularly in rural and mountainous regions. The incident also highlights the ongoing struggles faced by migrants traversing through the country on their journey towards the United States in search of improved living conditions.
Notably, this is not the first fatal bus accident to occur in the region, as a similar incident in October of last year claimed the lives of four migrants.
