Nine individuals tragically lost their lives on Monday in a devastating van crash on a highway in a predominantly Indigenous region on Mexico's Caribbean coast. The incident took place in the coastal state of Quintana Roo, approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of the popular resort town of Tulum.
According to local authorities, the van, carrying the victims, collided with a truck, resulting in a fiery collision that claimed the lives of nine individuals. Among the deceased were three minors, highlighting the severity of the crash. Additionally, six other individuals sustained serious injuries in the accident.
The area where the crash occurred is primarily inhabited by Mayan Indigenous communities, who rely heavily on vans as a primary mode of public transportation. Due to its distance from the coast and the presence of mangroves and wetlands along the shoreline, the region seldom attracts tourists.
Officials confirmed that all the victims were local residents, further underscoring the impact of the tragedy on the close-knit community. As development along the Caribbean coast continues to increase and traffic congestion rises, there has been a concerning uptick in road accidents in the area.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this heartbreaking incident as the community mourns the loss of nine lives in this tragic van crash.