A handout picture released by Minas Gerais Fire Department shows a truck on top of a car on the site of a crash in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais state, Brazil on December 21, 2024. At least 38 people were killed in a bus crash in southeastern Brazil on Saturday, officials said, in what President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a “terrible tragedy.” (Photo by Handout / Minas Gerais Fire Department / AFP)

SAO Paulo, Brazil — At least 38 people were killed in a bus crash in southeastern Brazil on Saturday, officials said, in what President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called a “terrible tragedy.”

Authorities have since last month unveiled a raft of measures to kickstart sluggish consumption and address a prolonged and debilitating debt crisis in the country’s colossal property sector.

The accident in Minas Gerais state, involving a bus that caught fire in the collision, was the worst on Brazil’s federal highways since 2007, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) told AFP.

Article continues after this advertisement

Civil police confirmed 38 fatalities with nine people hospitalized.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Ex-OpenAI engineer and whistleblower found dead at age 26 GLOBALNATION US strikes Huthi targets in Yemen's capital GLOBALNATION US Marine drowns in Bangui, Ilocos Norte

According to preliminary information, a block of granite “possibly” came off a truck traveling in the opposite direction, hitting the bus, the PRF said in a statement.

The truck driver fled the scene, firefighters said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Firefighters had initially said the bus blew a tire at around 4:00 am, causing the driver to lose control and hit a truck. Another vehicle also hit the bus from behind, officials said, but its occupants survived.

Article continues after this advertisement

After the crash, the bus, which had been making its way from Sao Paulo to Vitoria da Conquista, in the northeastern Bahia state, caught fire.

Article continues after this advertisement

The death toll crept upward throughout the day, with a spokeswoman for the local fire department earlier telling AFP that “it was not yet possible to specify the exact number due to the state of the bodies.”

Some of the victims had been trapped inside, said the fire department, which removed charred remains from the wreckage.

Article continues after this advertisement

In a video released Saturday morning, Lieutenant Alonso Vieira Junior of the Minas Gerais fire department said a crane would be needed to clear the wreckage, and that “there are still more victims to be removed.”

pkv slot

Among the dead were the bus driver and at least one child.

Lula took to social media to offer his prayers for “the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy.”

“I am deeply sorry,” he said, offering condolences to the families of the victims.

The governor of Minas Gerais said he was working “so that the families of the victims are cared for, to deal with this tragedy in the most humane way possible.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

At the end of Novemberhot646, a bus accident in Brazil’s northeastern state of Alagoas left 17 dead when it plunged into a ravine while traveling on a remote mountain road.

READ NEXT Israel accuses Pope of ‘double standards’ after Ga... Brits kindle Christmas spirit with secondhand gifts EDITORS' PICK Philippines stuns Indonesia, advances to Asean Cup semifinals EDITORIAL: DSWD’s first food bank Gary Valenciano’s ‘One More Time’ Day 2 show to proceed following health scare Ready tsunami evacuation plans, LGUs told after Ilocos Sur earthquakes December 22, 1941: Japanese Imperial Army invades Lingayen Gulf Chavit Singson supports Kalinga Apayao with innovative initiatives MOST READ BFAR plane tells Chinese Navy: ‘Review your chart!’ Denise Julia takes social media break after BJ Pascual calls her out Blake Lively accuses director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment New jewel rising in the metropolis Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments