A bus carrying evangelical Christians to a religious meeting in Guatemala crashed and hurtled into a ravine, killing at least 21 people, officials said today.
The bus carrying the churchgoers was traveling along a steeply descending, winding road about 110 miles (175 km) from Guatemala City when it collided with another bus late yesterday.
"The bus coming down the hill collided with another bus coming the other way. The first one lost control and fell 50 metres (165 feet) into a ravine," fire department spokesman said.
Eighteen people were killed immediately and at least three others died after being taken to a hospital. Four children and the bus driver were among the dead.
No one on the other bus was killed. Road accidents are common in Guatemala, where converted US school buses are frequently overloaded with passengers and driven at breakneck speeds along mountain roads.
