transport
February 23, 2026
Two buses catch fire in Estelí and Chinandega; passengers manage to evacuate in time
Two public transport buses caught fire in Estelí and Chinandega in incidents occurring just hours apart. Although no injuries were reported, the incidents reignite concerns about the mechanical condition of some units in circulation.
TL;DR
- A public transport bus caught fire on the Paso Real bridge in Condega, Estelí, after smoke billowed from the front.
- Passengers evacuated a second bus that caught fire upon entering El Realejo, Chinandega, after it began emitting smoke.
- No injuries were reported in either incident, only material damage.
- The fires have raised concerns about the mechanical condition of older public transport units.
- The government has been importing new buses from China, Mexico, and Russia to modernize the fleet.
- Despite modernization efforts, several older buses have caught fire in recent months.
- Authorities are investigating the causes of the fires and stressing the importance of periodic mechanical checks.