San Salvador Bus Attack Leaves Riders Wounded, Route Suspended, Authorities Search For Armed Suspects

San Salvador, El Salvador— Gunfire burst through the windows of a public bus in San Salvador at around 6:30 p.m. on October 30, 2026, wounding passengers and stopping traffic on a main avenue.

The bus was on a regular route heading north. Witnesses said two men on a motorcycle pulled alongside near an intersection and fired. The driver braked hard. Passengers ducked between seats. The motorcycle sped away into side streets.

Police said three to five people were hit. Firefighters and Red Cross volunteers pulled victims from the bus. They were taken to Hospital Rosales. One was reported in critical condition. Others had wounds to arms and legs.

Officers closed two lanes. The bus sat angled against the curb with shattered glass on the asphalt. Bullet holes marked the side panels. Investigators placed yellow markers around casings found on the road.

"This was a direct attack on the unit," a traffic division officer told reporters at the scene. "We are not treating this as a robbery. The shooters aimed at the bus."

The route operator suspended service for the night. Other drivers parked their units nearby and waited for instructions. Commuters were left standing at stops while police checked each passing motorcycle.

Authorities have linked similar bus attacks to extortion disputes. Bus companies in El Salvador have long faced threats. The government did not confirm a motive Thursday. The National Civil Police said gang investigators were called in.

A spokesperson for the transport ministry said security cameras from the bus would be reviewed. The bus had a front-facing camera. It was unclear whether it captured the shooters.

Residents in the area said gunfire on that avenue is not rare after dark. Some riders said they now avoid night buses. Police said patrols would be increased but gave no timeline.

By 10 p.m., the bus had been towed. No suspects were in custody and the search was still active.