38 Dead In A Bus Accident In Brazil, PMMG Says Death Toll Increasing

Vehicle lost control and invaded neighboring lane after tire burst and collided with truck carrying rocks; PMMG says there is a possibility of death toll increasing.

The accident occurred at around 3:30 a.m., when a bus from the ENTRAM company, which was traveling from São Paulo to Jequié, in Bahia, lost control after a tire burst. The vehicle went into the wrong lane, collided with a truck loaded with rocks and left the road in flames. Most of the bodies were burned, according to the Federal Highway Police (PRF).

According to the PRF, there is another possible cause for the accident: the detachment of a block of granite that was being transported by the truck on the highway. The driver of the vehicle left the scene and is being sought by authorities.

According to G1, the highway had radars (which indicated the speed limit of 60 km/h) recently removed, including one located close to the stretch where the accident occurred. The measure would be due to the devices having expired documentation.

This is the biggest tragedy, in terms of the number of fatalities, on federal highways since 2007, when the historical series available for consultation began.

There were 45 people on board the bus, 13 of whom survived and were rescued by SAMU, with injuries and taken to hospital. A passenger car that was following the bus was also involved in the accident, but the three occupants survived.

The city of Teófilo Otoni reported that, of the 13, seven were treated at the Emergency Care Unit, three were sent to Santa Rosália Hospital and another two to Raimundo Gobira Hospital.

Firefighters, PRF and forensic teams have already finished their work at the scene. The tragedy occurred on BR-116, known as the deadliest highway in Brazil. In 2023, there were 559 deaths recorded along its length, 155 of which were in Minas Gerais, the state that leads in fatalities on the roads, according to data from the National Confederation of Transport (CNT).

Between November 2022 and October 2023, 712 people died on Minas Gerais highways, representing 12% of deaths recorded in the country.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) lamented the accident that left at least 38 dead on BR-116, near Teófilo Otoni. In a post on social media, Lula stated that the federal government is available to assist in the case.

“I deeply regret and send my prayers to the families of the more than 30 fatal victims of the accident in Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. I pray for the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy,” said the president.

Lamento imensamente e envio minhas orações aos familiares das mais de 30 vítimas fatais do acidente em Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. Rezo pela recuperação dos sobreviventes dessa terrível tragédia. A Polícia Rodoviária Federal está no local do acidente, e o governo federal se…

— Lula (@LulaOficial) December 21, 2024

Lamento Boliviano

Lula also said that he is following the case: “The Federal Highway Police are at the scene of the accident, and the federal government is at the disposal of the city of Teófilo Otoni and the government of Minas Gerais for anything that is necessary,” he added.

On social media, the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema, said that he had ordered the full mobilization of state forces to respond to the accident. According to the publication, the governor’s office aircraft will be used to move teams to Teófilo Otoni.

Determinei mobilização total do @governomg no atendimento às vítimas e suporte aos familiares no trágico acidente na BR-116, em Teófilo Otoni. Nossas Forças de Segurança trabalham sem interrupção desde a madrugada e ao longo dessa manhã para atender com agilidade a ocorrência.

— Romeu Zema (@RomeuZema) December 21, 2024

AFP