BR-251 is released after accident between bus and trailer in Minas Gerais

BR-251 was fully reopened this Sunday afternoon (24) after the accident between a bus and a trailer that left eight people dead in Santa Cruz de Salinas, in the North of Minas Gerais. According to an update from the Minas Gerais Military Fire Department (CBMMG), traffic began to flow again in both directions around 4pm.

Despite the opening of the lanes, the impact of the closure still causes slowdowns on the highway. According to an estimate provided by the teams that worked on the incident, the congestion reached around 70 kilometers in both directions of the road.

Accident between bus and trailer leaves at least eight dead on MG highway | NOW CNN

According to firefighters, the initial estimate is that approximately 35 kilometers of queue have formed in each direction, although the calculation is not yet exact. The survey was carried out based on the movement of vehicles along the stretch.

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The teams began to demobilize after completing the work to respond to the incident and remove the vehicles involved. Even so, the flow remains intense and it is expected that traffic will take a few hours to return to normal.

The accident happened this Sunday morning, near the Santa Cruz gas station, on BR-251, close to the border with Bahia. The head-on collision between the bus and the trailer was followed by fire and mobilized firefighters, the Federal Highway Police (PRF), Samu and forensic experts.

To date, eight deaths and ten injuries remain confirmed. According to firefighters, all the fatal victims were on the bus.

The accident happened around 6am, near the Santa Cruz gas station, close to the border with Bahia. BR-251 remains closed for rescue teams and forensics.

Source: CNN