More than a dozen people have died after a bus taking foreign nationals to the United States crashed.
At least 18 deaths have been reported following the collision between two vehicles and a bus at La Cucamonga hill, located to the north of the city of Estelí in Nicaragua.
The accident occurred at 6:30pm local time (1:30am UK time).
Local reports say that four people have also been admitted in a critical condition to the nearby Condega Hospital, while 30 suffering from lesser injuries have been taken to Esteli Hospital.
The service had been travelling on a route between Managua and Jalapa, with most of the 56 passengers being migrants travelling north to the United States.
Unconfirmed footage shared on social media showed a crowd of people shining torches at an upturned bus with one passenger hanging out of a window.
The vehicle appears to be partly lodged in a tree.
A statement from the National Police read: "The National Police was informed of the unfortunate traffic accident that occurred today, Wednesday, July 27, at 6:30 in the afternoon, at Kilometer 170 highway on the hill known locally as 'La Cucamonga'.
"The Emergency System of Citizen Power, integrated by the Police National, Civil Defense of the Nicaraguan Army, Ministry of Health, Firefighters Unified, Migration and Aliens, and Municipal Mayor's Office immediately attended the accident site, assisting the victims and transferring them to the Ada Hospital."
The police additionally confirmed that they would "investigate the causes and circumstances of the accident" and "determine responsibilities and identify the victims" on Thursday (July 28).
The Ministry of Health was meanwhile said to be relocating emergency vehicles from neighbouring municipalities to deal with the incident late into the evening.
Nicaraguans on social media rushed to share news of the accident, with many offering their prayers and sympathy to the the victims' families.
