9 Jan 2011

Guatemala bus accident kills 14

3:08 pm on 9 January 2011

A bus crash in Guatemala's western highlands has killed 14 people and injured more than 50.

The bus plunged down a 50-metre deep ravine near the town of San Marcos.

Rescue crews and survivors are pointing to brake failure as its likely cause.

Local media is reporting all those on the bus were former paramilitaries once involved in the country's brutal civil war that killed as many as 200,000 people.

They were being bused to San Marcos to collect their wages after taking part in a reforestation programme in the area.