The fatal crash – which killed 38 people – has been described as a “terrible tragedy” as horrific images show a gutted bus lying on the side of the road
Almost 40 people have been killed after a packed bus collided with a lorry in Brazil and exploded into flames.
The country’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said the crash was a “terrible tragedy” after awful images emerged of a gutted bus on the side of the road.
Shortly after the collision the coach, which was carrying 45 passengers, erupted into flames after one of its tires blew out. The malfunction sent the motor out of control, according to horrified witnesses. The driver wrestled with the wheel, managing to keep it on the road, before it rammed into a lorry on the other side of the road. Thirty-eight people were killed, including the driver, after the bus careened off the road.
Within moments the impact of the crash had sparked a devastating blaze. Rescue teams were told that the bus had hit a granite block. Thirteen people were rushed to a nearby hospital in the country’s eastern state of Minais Gerais, according to the local fire department.
Mr da Silva said in a statement: “I deeply regret and send my prayers to the families of the more than 30 fatalities from the accident in Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais. I pray for the recovery of the survivors of this terrible tragedy.”
Local governor Romeu Zema wrote on X that he had ordered “full mobilisation” of the Minas Gerais government to help the loved ones of the victims.
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