At least 17 people were killed when a passenger bus crashed into a sand dune in northeastern Brazil after its driver lost control, local authorities said Saturday.
According to the Federal Highway Police, the accident occurred in Saloa, a city in the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco.
The vehicle departed from the neighboring state of Bahia, with state Governor Jeronimo Teixeira writing on Twitter that his administration was supporting rescue efforts and the identification of victims.
“I am monitoring the situation with my team and express my deep condolences over the deaths, injuries and the suffering of all the families,” he said.
What do we know about the Brazil bus crash?
Police said there were around 30 passengers on the bus and the injured were taken to hospital. It is not clear how many were injured.
Police said the driver veered into the opposite lane after losing control of the bus and hitting rocks on the side of the highway.
But the driver is said to have returned to the right lane and then hit a sand dune, police said.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated, police said, adding that the driver tested negative for alcohol.
How common are traffic accidents in Brazil?
According to the Ministry of Transport, more than 10,000 people will die in traffic accidents in Brazil in 2024.
In April, 11 people, including two children, were killed when a passenger bus overturned in southeastern Brazil.
Edited by: Rana Taha