A tragic accident in Brazil has left at least 38 people dead and many more fighting for their lives after a bus collided with a truck and burst into flames on Saturday.
Death Toll Mounts
The local fire department reported that the bus was carrying 45 passengers when the disaster occurred near the town of Teofilo Otoni in Minas Gerais. Unfortunately, the bus driver was among those who lost their lives in the crash. The survivors, who were rushed to the hospital, are in critical condition.
Chaos and Confusion
The truck driver involved in the accident fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Miraculously, three occupants of a car that collided with the truck and became trapped underneath managed to survive the ordeal.
Conflicting Reports Emerge
There are conflicting accounts of what caused the crash, with eyewitnesses claiming that the bus collided with a granite block that fell off the back of the truck. Initially, firefighters reported that the bus had a tyre blowout, which led to the driver losing control before colliding with an oncoming truck. Authorities have promised that a forensic investigation will determine the true cause of the accident.
A Nation in Mourning
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised that the government would provide all necessary assistance. The Federal Highway Policy is currently investigating the crash.
“I deeply mourn and extend my prayers to the families of the more than 30 victims of the accident in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais,” the President wrote on X. “I pray for the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy.”
A Journey Cut Short
The bus, which departed from Sao Paulo, was headed to the state of Bahia when the tragedy occurred. As the country comes to terms with this devastating loss, one thing is clear: the scars of this accident will be felt for a long time to come.