Guatemala Bus Tragedy: 15 Perish After 75-Meter Plunge at ‘Alaska Peak’

A routine bus journey turned into a nightmare in the highlands of Central America. According to local firefighters and news agencies, at least 15 people died and 19 others were injured on December 27, 2025, when a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a 75-meter (250ft) deep ravine in western Guatemala.

A Treacherous Pass: Why ‘Alaska Peak’ is a Death Trap

The crash occurred in a notorious section of the Inter-American Highway known as “Alaska Peak” (Cumbre de Alaska). Located in the Totonicapan department, the area is feared by drivers for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. Local spokesperson Leandro Amado noted that dense fog frequently blankets the route, severely reducing visibility for vehicles traveling between Guatemala City and the Mexican border.

Rescue teams spent Saturday morning recovering bodies from the wreckage. Among the deceased were 11 men, three women, and one minor. The injured survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals as relatives gathered at the scene, desperately searching for news of their loved ones.

The Heavy Toll of a Troubled Year

This latest disaster echoes a horrific incident from early 2025, where more than 50 people perished in a similar bus crash near the capital. While the exact cause of this Saturday's plunge remains under investigation, the recurring nature of these mass-casualty events has sparked renewed calls for stricter transportation safety regulations and infrastructure upgrades in the region.