Accident between bus and trailer leaves at least eight dead on MG highway
An accident between a bus and a trailer followed by fire left at least eight dead this Sunday morning (24) on BR-251, in Santa Cruz de Salinas, in the North of Minas Gerais. The stretch is close to the Santa Cruz gas station and the border with Bahia.
According to the Minas Gerais Military Fire Department (CBMMG), the incident occurred around 6am. The incident was initially recorded at km 236 of the highway. Teams from firefighters, the Federal Highway Police (PRF), Samu and forensics are working at the scene.
According to preliminary information, there was a head-on collision between a bus and a box trailer loaded mainly with wheels and automotive parts. After the impact, both vehicles were consumed by flames and the bus overturned.
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Initially, firefighters had reported five deaths, but the number was updated throughout the service. To date, 14 victims have been recorded, data still considered partial by the teams.
Among them, eight died. According to firefighters, five bodies were found charred and stuck to the bus's hardware. The teams reported that the identification of the victims still depends on the progress of forensics and the removal of the debris.
In audio sent to CNN, firefighters reported that the vehicle's hardware was heavily twisted, which made access to the interior of the bus difficult and, to date, prevents definitive confirmation of the total number of fatalities.
Among the fatal victims, the military confirmed the presence of a baby in arms. So far, there is no confirmation whether the death occurred as a result of the impact of the collision or the fire that hit the vehicles after the crash. Forensics continues to work at the scene and is still checking the hardware to confirm whether there are other victims, as the force of the impact, the fire and the load spread across the track made the analysis scenario more complex.
According to the military, there is evidence that the dead included a child, apparently between 10 and 11 years old, but this information has not yet been officially confirmed. Firefighters also ruled out the initial hypothesis that a third vehicle was involved: parts scattered across the road were part of the cargo transported by the trailer.
Among the survivors already confirmed, six people were referred by Samu to health units in the region. So far, ambulance services have been recorded in Taiobeiras, Pedra Azul and Medina. The teams are still assessing the total number of injured people, as some victims received treatment at the scene and did not need to be transported to hospital.
According to the PRF, there were no deaths among the occupants of the trailer. The runway remains completely closed to deal with the incident and carry out forensic work.
The article is being updated.
*Under the supervision of Manuella Dal Mas
Source: CNN