Mexico City, July 5 (UN) At least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured after a passenger bus plunged into the Tlapaneco River in Ixcateopan de Cuauhtemoc, a mountainous area in Guerrero state, southern Mexico, local authorities said.
The accident occurred at around 1:40 a.m. local time (0740 GMT) on Friday as the bus, traveling from Cuernavaca to Tlapa de Comonfort, veered off the road and fell into the rain-swollen river.
According to local civil protection officials, the preliminary toll includes seven confirmed dead, five missing and over 30 injured. Survivors were taken to nearby hospitals.
The bus came to rest partially submerged at the bottom of the riverbed, and search operations are underway downstream in hopes of locating more survivors.
The deceased were identified as residents of Tlapa, Cochoapa el Grande and Tlacuiloya, all in Guerrero. A baby rescued alive remains under medical observation, local officials confirmed.
Rescue efforts were joined by state civil protection teams, the National Guard, the Mexican Army and local volunteers. Heavy currents and rough terrain have complicated the rescue operation.
Preliminary investigations suggested speeding, driver fatigue, poor road conditions or possible mechanical failure as causes. Local reports suggested that the vehicle may have been overcrowded.
