Tragic Bus Crash in Brazil Claims 38 Lives
Accident Details
At least 38 people were killed in a bus crash in southeastern Brazil on Saturday, officials said, in what President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a "terrible tragedy." The accident occurred in Minas Gerais state, involving a bus that caught fire in the collision, which was the worst on Brazil’s federal highways since 2007, according to the Federal Highway Police (PRF).
Preliminary Investigation
According to preliminary information, a block of granite "possibly" came off a truck traveling in the opposite direction, hitting the bus, the PRF said in a statement. The truck driver fled the scene, firefighters said. Firefighters initially reported that the bus blew a tire at around 4:00 am, causing the driver to lose control and hit a truck. Another vehicle also hit the bus from behind, officials said, but its occupants survived.
Aftermath
After the crash, the bus, which had been making its way from Sao Paulo to Vitoria da Conquista, in the northeastern Bahia state, caught fire. The death toll crept upward throughout the day, with a spokeswoman for the local fire department earlier telling AFP that "it was not yet possible to specify the exact number due to the state of the bodies." Some of the victims had been trapped inside, said the fire department, which removed charred remains from the wreckage.
Rescue Efforts
In a video released Saturday morning, Lieutenant Alonso Vieira Junior of the Minas Gerais fire department said a crane would be needed to clear the wreckage, and that "there are still more victims to be removed." Among the dead were the bus driver and at least one child.
Government Response
Lula took to social media to offer his prayers for "the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy." "I am deeply sorry," he said, offering condolences to the families of the victims. The governor of Minas Gerais said he was working "so that the families of the victims are cared for, to deal with this tragedy in the most humane way possible."
Recent Bus Accidents in Brazil
At the end of November, a bus accident in Brazil’s northeastern state of Alagoas left 17 dead when it plunged into a ravine while traveling on a remote mountain road.
Conclusion
The tragic bus crash in Brazil serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such accidents from occurring. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the survivors of this devastating tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people were killed in the bus crash?
A: At least 38 people were killed in the bus crash.
Q: What caused the bus to catch fire?
A: According to preliminary information, a block of granite possibly came off a truck traveling in the opposite direction, hitting the bus.
Q: How many people were hospitalized?
A: Nine people were hospitalized.
Q: What was the condition of the bus before the crash?
A: The bus was making its way from Sao Paulo to Vitoria da Conquista, in the northeastern Bahia state, when the accident occurred.