He bus accident in La Paz Calzada happened the past February 10, 2025 He continues to leave a mark on Guatemala’s memory. It was one of the most devastating tragedies of extra -urban transport in recent years.
More than three months after the fatal accident, the families of the victims and the survivors received compensation from the insurer whose policy covered the affected bus.
A bus that covered the route between Santo Domingo Los Ocotesin San Antonio La Paz, El Progreso, and the The terminal marketin zone 4 of Guatemala City, it fell to a hollow during the early morning, leaving 54 people killed and 9 wounds, according to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF).
In response to the tragedy that occurred in La Paz Roaddifferent entities have taken actions to provide support to affected families. Universal insurance He confirmed the validity of the policy linked to the wrecked bus and established compensation.
Compensation by universal insurance amounts to Q9.8 million
After three months of the incident, the company Universal insurance confirmed this May 19 that the process of Total compensation to the families of the 54 fatal victims and the nine injured.
The insurer disbursed a total amount of Q9.8 millionthus complying with the provisions of the current policy, despite the irregularities detected in the operation of the bus.
Compensation was established as follows:
- Q179 thousand 677.30 per deceased personequivalent to 50 minimum wages of the agricultural sector.
- Between Q3 thousand 593.55 and Q21 thousand 561.28 for the injuredaccording to the seriousness of their injuries.
This compensation process was initially announced on February 11, one day after the accident, when universal insurance assured that the policy would honor despite the administrative irregularities of the vehicle.
Economic support from Congress and Government
For its part, the Congress of the Republic approved the Legislative Agreement 2-2025through which he allocated Q3.15 million In financial aid of Q55 thousand per deceased or injured personwith verification processes initiated in March and a pending case of diplomatic management.
At the governmental level, the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) He made a Census in 54 homes, At the end of February, to evaluate the socio -economic conditions of affected families, information that will serve as the basis for a support proposal that will be presented to the President Bernardo Arévalo.
This was the accident in La Paz Calzada
According to witnesses and records of Security camerasthe bus departed from Santo Domingo Los Ocotes at 3:00 a.m. At 4:17, while traveling through La Paz Roadthe driver lost control and the vehicle fell from a height of approximately 50 meters Until the channel Las Vacas River.
The First investigations revealed that the bus was driving speeding and that I did not have due Authorization to operate On that route. In addition, it was confirmed that the pilot did not possess Type A licenseindispensable to handle collective transport units.
According to reports from the General Directorate of Transport (DGT)the bus was not registered in the official public transport system or had approved the mandatory mechanical inspections. These findings expose serious failures in the supervision of extra -urban transportation In the country and open the debate on state responsibility in the control of these units.
Research continues
The past April 19, The authorities managed to extract the bus from the Hondonada. This step allowed progress in the technical analysis of the accident and is part of a ongoing research which seeks to establish criminal and administrative responsibilities.
Meanwhile, relatives of the victims and the general population continue to demand justice and better security conditions in public transport. The tragedy has revealed the Structural deficiencies in the regulation of extra -urban transportation and has revived the call to a comprehensive reform that guarantees the life of the passengers.