A tragic accident occurred early Saturday on a highway in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, resulting in the loss of 22 lives. The collision involved a passenger bus and a truck, with 13 individuals sustaining injuries and being rushed to nearby hospitals in the city of Teofilo Otoni. The bus, which had departed from Sao Paulo, was carrying a total of 45 passengers at the time of the incident.
According to officials from the Minas Gerais fire department, the accident was triggered by a blown tire on the bus, leading to the driver's loss of control and subsequent collision with the truck. Additionally, a car carrying three passengers also became involved in the crash, although fortunately, all three occupants managed to survive the impact.
Rescue operations are currently underway at the accident site, with emergency response teams diligently working to extract any remaining victims from the scene. The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the tragedy and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the devastating crash.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. For further updates and coverage on news from Latin America and the Caribbean, please visit AP's dedicated section.
