22-12-2024 (SAO PAULO) In one of Brazil’s deadliest road accidents since 2007, at least 38 people lost their lives when a passenger bus collided with a lorry in Minas Gerais state, triggering a catastrophic fire that engulfed the vehicle.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday near the town of Lajinha, with conflicting accounts emerging about the precise cause. Initial reports from emergency services suggested a blown tyre caused the driver to lose control, whilst later witness statements indicated a dislodged granite block from the lorry might have precipitated the devastating crash.
The bus, which was travelling from São Paulo to Vitória da Conquista in Bahia state, became the centre of a complex rescue operation, with emergency services struggling to reach victims trapped inside the charred wreckage. Lieutenant Alonso Vieira Junior of the Minas Gerais fire brigade confirmed that heavy lifting equipment was required to access all casualties.
“The severity of the incident has made victim identification particularly challenging,” a fire department spokesperson told reporters, noting that the intense fire had severely compromised the recovery effort.
Among the confirmed casualties were the bus driver and at least one child. Eight survivors have been hospitalised, though their conditions remain undisclosed.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his profound sorrow on social media, offering prayers for survivors and condolences to bereaved families. The Governor of Minas Gerais pledged comprehensive support for affected families, promising to handle the tragedy “with utmost humanity.”
This catastrophe follows another recent bus accident in Alagoas state, where 17 people perished when a vehicle plunged into a ravine in late November, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety across Brazil.
A crash between a passenger bus and a truck killed 22 people on a highway in Minas Gerais, a state in southeastern Brazil.
A packed bus with 45 passengers blew a tire, causing the driver to lose control and collide with an oncoming truck carrying tiles. The bus burst into… pic.twitter.com/g3hPszBfpD
— Boar News (@PhamDuyHien9) December 21, 2024
