Tragedy struck on August 3 as a passenger bus careened off a highway and plummeted into a deep ravine in western Mexico, claiming the lives of at least 18 people. The victims, primarily foreigners, were en route to the U.S. border, with the bus destined
for the northern border town of Tijuana. The driver of the ill-fated bus has been apprehended amidst suspicions of reckless driving.
The bus, which was operated by the Elite passenger line, was carrying approximately 42 passengers from diverse backgrounds, including individuals hailing from India, the Dominican Republic, and various African nations. The passengers' intentions varied, but a portion of them were reportedly journeying toward the United States border.
As per the Nayarit state government, the driver has been taken into custody pending an investigation. Authorities have raised concerns that the driver may have been speeding as the bus rounded a bend in the road, leading to the tragic accident.
The incident occurred near Barranca Blanca on a highway outside Tepic, the capital of Nayarit state. Rescue efforts were notably challenging due to the rugged terrain; the ravine's depth was reported to be approximately 40 meters.
"Rescue has been extremely difficult," stated Jorge Benito Rodriguez, the security and civil protection secretary for Nayarit.
As of August 3, officials were still in the process of identifying the victims. The injured, numbering around 20 individuals, were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. Among the injured, a woman's condition was described as "delicate" by the state government.
This tragedy adds to a grim series of recent bus accidents in Mexico. Just last month, a bus crash in the southern state of Oaxaca claimed the lives of 29 individuals. In February, another fatal accident occurred in central Mexico, resulting in the loss of 17 lives. The incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and rigorous driver training within the country.
#Reckless driving: #deadly consequence? Tragic #BusCrash in western #Mexico takes 18 lives
— Daryo | Central Asia & Afghanistan (@DaryoEng) August 5, 2023
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Last month, a #bus crash in the #southern state of #Oaxaca left 29 people #dead, and in February, a bus carrying #migrants from #South and #CentralAmerica #crashed in central… pic.twitter.com/HyU37xUPUr
Attempts to reach the Elite passenger line and Mexico's migration institute for comments on the situation have thus far been unsuccessful.
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