São Paulo, Brazil (DT) – The death toll from a bus crash in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has risen to 41, regional police reported Sunday.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday when a bus carrying 45 passengers veered off the federal highway BR 116 in the municipality of Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. The vehicle plunged into a ravine and caught fire after a block of granite fell from a truck traveling in the opposite direction, striking the bus.
A total of 11 bodies have been identified so far, but security forces have not provided a timeline for identifying the rest, as the bus and two other vehicles involved were either totally or partially consumed by the fire. Initial reports from firefighters counted 22 fatalities, but the number rose as rescue efforts continued.
According to the civil police of Minas Gerais, the granite block dislodged from a truck overloaded with cargo, causing the bus to burst into flames upon impact. A car traveling behind the truck also collided with it, but its three occupants survived with serious injuries, according to the fire department.
Authorities are searching for the truck driver, who fled the scene. Reports indicate his license was suspended in 2022 after refusing a breathalyzer test, and the truck was carrying excess weight, which may lead to criminal charges.
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President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, offering prayers for “the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy.” He also promised government support for the victims’ families and survivors.
The government of Minas Gerais released a statement pledging to remain mobilized to provide “necessary responses” to the disaster, which has become one of the deadliest road accidents in Brazil’s recent history.
The crash serves as a stark reminder of ongoing safety concerns on Brazil’s roads, particularly in regions with dangerous curves and heavy freight traffic.
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