Roof Collapse at Novelo’s Bus Terminal Sends Two Commuters to Hospital, Highlights Infrastructure Concerns

Two commuters who utilized the Novelo’s Bus Terminal were transported to the hospital just after midday today after a portion of the cement roof disintegrated and fell on them.  Up to news time, we understand that the two victims, Ana Morales and Petronilla Pop, were treated and released with no major injuries.  The incident has brought the condition of the terminal into the spotlight as for a very long time commuters have been complaining of the infrastructure and lack of amenities in Belize City and other parts of the country.  Louis Flores, a taxi driver stationed at the terminal spoke with Love News on what he saw transpired.

Louis Flores, Taxi Driver: “Well I see I was outside and when I heard a lot pieces of cement that started to come down from there and fall on this thing first. Then one fell in the lady’s head and the next one fell on my shoulder to the next one. Then all of us moved from there when the police came to see and check everything so they started to put this yellow line so that nobody can come through this gate. This building is too old that’s all that caused that. In Belize we don’t have a good terminal and so that’s why this thing needs for them to build another decent bus terminal. Because you can see how this place looks, how the buses park there was a big hole all they did was put sand and that’s it.”

We understand that the ministry has agreed to incur the medical expenses of the two women.  Our newsroom reached out to the Chief Transport Officer, Leon Gentle, who was briefed this evening on the incident.  Gentle concedes that the situation is unfortunate, and that since he came into office, the rehabilitation and upgrades of the terminals have been at the forefront of his plans.

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer: “It’s very unfortunate that the block fell from up top. Of course, we’d have to work with some engineers to see what transpired as it relates to it falling from that area. I know that there was some structural stuff that was done over the years at the top of the building to put up an antenna. And maybe that would have been the cause to the block falling down. However, both individuals were transported immediately to the hospital where they were evaluated by a medical practitioner who provided that medical support. They received some bruises which they took medications for. And we then blocked off the area to say that no one should pass around there. We have been in dialogue to see how we can upgrade what currently exists. That by itself takes some time. Since I’ve been sitting in the seat, the conversation has been ramped up. We are in the process of looking to see where we can get an estimate as to what needs to be rectified, what needs to be properly done. And as the Department of Transport will be sitting together along with that technical team to be able to see how we can fix the structure better than it currently is. I do agree that the structure needs to be renovated holistically and we have to find the resources to be able to do so.”

Gentle was appointed Chief Transport Officer in November 2023.