Guatemala Landslide: One Confirmed Buried, Route to El Salvador Closed Indefinitely

GUATEMALA CITY 0 A major landslide has caused significant disruption and tragedy on the route to El Salvador, specifically at kilometer 24, where one person has been confirmed buried. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of this morning, has led to the complete closure of the vital transportation artery, leaving commuters stranded and prompting an extensive emergency response.Authorities have identified the buried individual as the guardian of a property located in the affected sector, which housed heavy machinery. Engineer Jos0 Ist0pe, director of Covial, provided details in an interview, stating, "We had the problem that it collapsed. Unfortunately, it appears there is a person buried, who was the guardian of the property. This is confirmed." He further elaborated that the landslide was a direct consequence of terrain instability in the area.Footage from the scene reveals a landscape transformed by a massive deluge of mud and debris, with excavators and dump trucks working tirelessly to clear the blockage. Emergency teams, including volunteer firefighters, military personnel, and specialized rescue workers with search dogs, are actively involved in the search and recovery mission for the buried individual, while simultaneously working to restore passage.The road closure has created considerable challenges for daily commuters. Many Guatemalans have resorted to walking through several centimeters of mud to bypass the affected area, seeking to reach their destinations for work or study. Heavy transport vehicles are also stranded, with one truck reportedly colliding with a post during the chaos.Ist0pe indicated that efforts are underway to open two lanes for reversible traffic flow from south to north, with a projected timeline of achieving some traffic normalcy by midday. However, the sheer volume of material to be cleared and the need to ensure stability of the remaining terrain present significant hurdles. The incident highlights the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to natural phenomena and the critical need for ongoing vigilance and rapid response mechanisms.