Official announcements from state governments or media reports

38 Killed in Bus-Truck Collision on BR-116 in Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais

Dec 21, 2024, 06:28 PM

A devastating accident on the BR-116 highway in Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil, resulted in at least 38 deaths. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, when a bus carrying 45 passengers from São Paulo to Bahia collided with a truck carrying granite. The collision caused the bus to catch fire, leading to the majority of the fatalities being from burn injuries. A car also collided with the vehicles involved, but its occupants survived. The Minas Gerais fire department reported that 13 survivors were hospitalized. Initial investigations suggest that the accident may have been triggered by a granite block falling from the truck and hitting the bus, causing the driver to lose control. The accident is noted as the deadliest on federal highways since 2007. Governor Romeu Zema of Minas Gerais ordered a full mobilization of state resources to assist victims and their families, while the government of São Paulo sent teams to help with victim identification. President Lula da Silva expressed his condolences and offered federal support to the affected region.