The government today extended its condolences to the people and government of Guatemala following a bus crash yesterday that killed more than 50 people.
President William Lai (賴清德), Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Minister of Foreign Affairs 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.
Photo: EPA/EFE
"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.
"Sincere condolences to the people of Guatemala, especially the families of the victims in this tragic accident. We are with you," Hsiao said.
"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.
Taiwan's embassy in the Central American nation also extended its condolences.
"In this moment of deep pain, we stand in solidarity with the Guatemalan people and mourn the irreparable loss," it said.
At least 55 people have died after a bus plunged into a ravine beneath the Belize Bridge on the outskirts of Guatemala's capital yesterday.
Firefighter spokesperson Edwin Villagran said 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 35m 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 nation's army and disaster agency to assist with response effort.
Additional reporting by AP
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