At least 21 people tragically lost their lives following a severe road accident in central Mexico, as per reports from local authorities. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning along the highway connecting Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in Puebla state, according to Samuel Aguilar Pala, a local government representative.
The collision involved three vehicles: a tanker truck, a bus, and a van. Of the casualties, 18 were pronounced dead at the crash site, while three others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. In addition to the fatalities, several more individuals sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical care, as indicated by Aguilar on social media platform X.
Local news sources, including La Jornada, have reported that the accident transpired when a cement truck attempted to overtake a van. This maneuver resulted in a head-on collision with the bus before the truck careened down a ravine and ignited in flames. Dramatic footage shared online by a local journalist shows a thick plume of dark smoke ascending from the ravine, alongside extensive damage to the highway’s guardrails—though this video remains unverified by the BBC.
Highways in Mexico have witnessed a disturbing number of serious accidents in recent years, with a notable incident in February wherein multiple fatalities occurred during a bus crash in Tabasco. The repeated tragedies underline ongoing safety concerns on Mexico's roadways, sparking an urgent call for improved regulations and driver responsibility.
