Fatal Bus Collision in Honduras

At least 17 people died and 12 were injured when two buses collided on a highway in northwest Honduras, firefighters reported.

The accident occurred at dawn near the community of San Juan de Opoa, on the highway that leads from Santa Rosa de Copán to the municipality of Gracias, about 220 km northwest of Tegucigalpa.

According to the firefighter, one of the buses was traveling without passengers towards the center of the country after dropping off migrants at the border with Guatemala and the other, full of people, was going towards Santa Rosa de Copán.

The empty bus was larger than the one carrying passengers. The injured were taken to the Santa Rosa de Copán hospital.

In the area of the accident there are mountains of pine trees and the route, with one lane in each direction, has many curves, as well as ups and downs.

Traffic accidents are the second cause of death in Honduras, after homicides, according to official figures.

According to local media, all the victims are Honduran and lived in the area. Relatives gathered at the scene of the accident and some burst into tears as they identified their deceased relatives.

"With deep dismay and pain, I receive the tragic news of the accident in San Juan de Opoa, department of Copán. My condolences to the families of the victims and solidarity for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Honduran president, Xiomara Castro.

"I have instructed the relevant teams and agencies to provide all support at this difficult time," added the president.

Thousands of migrants from South America cross Honduran territory every day on a long route to the United States in search of better living conditions.

Last October four migrants died when a bus plunged into a ravine.