A tragic incident occurred in northeastern Brazil where a passenger bus crashed into a sand embankment, resulting in the death of at least 17 individuals, as reported by authorities. The bus, carrying around 30 passengers, met with the disaster on Saturday, October 18. The exact number of injured passengers, who were promptly taken to nearby hospitals, remains unclear.
The accident took place in Saloá, a city in the state of Pernambuco, as the bus was en route to Brumado. According to Police Chief Luciano Holanda, the bus involved was identified as a “tourist bus.” The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, veered into the opposite lane, collided with rocks on the roadside, and ultimately overturned after hitting a sand embankment.
Tragically, some passengers were ejected from the bus during the overturn due to not wearing seat belts. The bus was returning from Brumado in Bahia to Santa Cruz do Capibaribe in Pernambuco’s Agreste region when the devastating incident occurred. Governor Jernimo Teixeira of Bahia expressed sorrow for the loss of lives, injuries, and the anguish of the affected families, affirming that rescue operations and victim identification were being supported by his administration.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with the driver sustaining minor injuries and testing negative for alcohol, as confirmed by the police. In a separate statement, Governor Jerônimo Teixeira reiterated his commitment to overseeing the situation and empathizing with the affected families. Notably, in 2024, over 10,000 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents in Brazil, according to data from the Ministry of Transportation.