At least 21 individuals lost their lives in a catastrophic road accident in central Mexico, as confirmed by a local government official. The collision, which occurred on Wednesday morning on the highway connecting Cuacnopalan to Oaxaca in Puebla state, involved a tanker truck, a bus, and a van. Samuel Aguilar Pala, the official responsible for the report, noted that 18 people were pronounced dead at the scene, with three others succumbing to their injuries in a hospital.
Further details emerged indicating that the accident involved a cement truck attempting to overtake a van. This maneuver led the truck to veer into the opposite lane, where it collided head-on with a bus before crashing into a transport van, ultimately plunging into a nearby ravine and igniting in flames. Eyewitness video footage demonstrates a significant cloud of dark smoke rising from the area, alongside substantial destruction to the road's guardrails. However, this video has not been independently verified.
This tragic incident highlights a disturbing trend, as Mexico has experienced numerous serious traffic accidents on its highways in recent years. Notably, in February, a separate bus crash in Tabasco resulted in multiple fatalities, sparking discussions about the need for improved road safety measures within the country.
