At least 38 individuals have lost their lives in a collision involving a bus and a truck on a major highway in southeastern Brazil, officials have reported.
An additional 13 individuals were transported to a medical facility following the incident in the eastern state of Minas Gerais, as stated by the local fire service. Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva characterized the event as a “horrific tragedy”.
The bus, which was said to have set off from Sao Paulo with 45 passengers onboard, ignited into flames upon impact, with footage showcasing the charred remnants of the destroyed vehicle.
The operator of the bus was among those who perished.
The driver of the truck absconded from the site, while three occupants of a car that collided with the truck and became ensnared beneath it managed to survive the mishap, according to news agency Reuters.
The car trapped beneath the truck. Pic: Belo Horizonte Military Fire Department/Reuters
Various witnesses reported that the accident occurred when a tyre of the bus burst, leading the driver to lose control and collide with a truck, while others informed rescue crews that a granite boulder struck the bus, which was en route to the state of Bahia.
In a statement on Saturday, Mr. da Silva expressed: “I deeply lament and extend my condolences to the families of the over 30 deceased from the tragedy in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. I implore for the healing of the survivors of this dreadful event.”
Explore more from Sky News:
Chris Packham and Caroline Lucas resign from RSPCA
Flights cancelled over strong winds
Governor Romeu Zema shared on X that he had initiated “comprehensive mobilization” of the Minas Gerais government to aid the affected individuals.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that the families of the deceased receive the support necessary to endure this tragedy in the most compassionate way possible, particularly as it occurs just before Christmas,” Mr. Zema stated.
This year alone, over 10,000 individuals have died in traffic collisions in the South American nation, which has a population exceeding 216 million, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
