On October 1, 2005, Hurricane Stan formed a tropical depression and moved over Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Guatemala dropping heavy rains for several days triggering floods and deadly landslides. It proved to be the most devastating natural disaster since Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Possibly the heaviest hit region was Atitlan of Guatemala. 800 persons were buried alive in the village of Panabaj. Only 77 bodies were recovered. River torrents knocked bridges from their footings washing away topsoil and burying streets and homes in the region.