Lap baby is among fatal victims of accident in Minas Gerais

A baby is among the victims of the accident between a bus and a trailer followed by a fire that left at least eight dead this Sunday morning (24), on BR-251, in Santa Cruz de Salinas, in the North of Minas Gerais. The confirmation was made by the Minas Gerais Military Fire Department (CBMMG) during the update of work on site.

According to the military, the baby was an occupant of the bus and is among the eight deaths confirmed so far. All the fatal victims were in the collective. It has not yet been possible to confirm whether the child died as a result of the impact of the collision or the fire that hit the vehicles after the crash.

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

According to firefighters, identifying the victims remains a complex task due to the intensity of the accident. The head-on collision left the vehicles heavily twisted and, after the impact, a fire broke out and the load carried by the trailer spread along the highway.

https://admin.cnnbrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2026/05/WhatsApp-Video-2026-05-24-at-11.56.42.mp4

The teams reported that forensic experts continue to work at the wreckage to confirm whether there are other victims. In previous updates, firefighters had already reported difficulty in removing the bodies due to the condition of the vehicles and the conditions of the scene.

The total number of victims rose from 14 to 18. According to the most recent report, one person was in the trailer and 17 occupied the bus.

There was also an update on the number of injured people: it went from six to ten people rescued. Firefighters have not detailed the health status of the survivors so far.

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

*Under supervision of Manuella Dal Mas

Source: CNN