Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — At least 38 people were killed in a devastating bus crash accident in southeastern Brazil early Saturday, December 21. The incident was described by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a “horrific tragedy.”
The crash occurred in the state of Minas Gerais as a bus carrying 45 passengers traveled from São Paulo to Vitória da Conquista in Bahia state. Authorities reported that the accident happened around 3:30 a.m. near the town of Lajinha.
According to a recent report from CNN Indonesia, police have confirmed that 38 people were killed and eight injured survivors receiving treatment in hospitals. Therefore, the accident is considered the deadliest on Brazil’s federal highways since 2007, based on police data cited by local media.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with conflicting reports emerging about what led to the tragedy.
According to initial reports, the bus collided with a truck after reportedly suffering a tire blowout. Another vehicle then crashed into the rear of the bus. However, conflicting accounts later emerged, with eyewitnesses suggesting that a granite slab carried by the truck fell onto the bus, triggering the accident.
Following the collision, the bus caught fire, trapping several passengers inside. Emergency services worked for hours to extinguish the flames and recover the charred bodies.
“After hours of intense effort, firefighters managed to put out the fire and retrieve the remains of victims who were trapped inside,” the fire department said in a statement.
The death toll continued to rise throughout the day, with authorities confirming at least 38 fatalities. A spokesperson for the Minas Gerais fire department told AFP earlier that it was difficult to determine the exact number of victims due to the condition of the remains.
In a video statement, Lieutenant Alonso Vieira Junior from the Minas Gerais fire department said heavy machinery was required to clear the debris and recover more victims.
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President Lula expressed his condolences on social media, saying, “I deeply regret this tragedy and extend my sympathies to the families of the victims.”
Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema also pledged support for the affected families, stating that authorities were working to address the tragedy with the utmost care and compassion.
The cause of the bus crash accident remains under investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding one of Brazil deadliest highway crashes in recent years.
(Raidi/Agung)
