Head-on collision between bus and lorry in Brazil kills more than 20
It is not yet clear what caused the two vehicles to crash into each other in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A devastating head-on collision involving a minibus and a lorry in southern Brazil has claimed the lives of at least 21 individuals and left four others injured, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning, around 04:30 local time (07:30 GMT), on the BR-373 highway within the southern state of Paraná.
Local media outlets have reported that the minibus was operated by the health authorities of Imbituva, a nearby city. It was transporting patients and their family members to medical appointments in Ponta Grossa, located approximately 60 kilometers (36 miles) away.
An investigation has been launched by authorities to ascertain the cause of the collision. The highway remains closed at kilometer 209 as forensic experts and members of Brazil's federal highway police meticulously examine the crash site.
Fatal road traffic accidents are a recurring issue in Brazil. A World Bank study indicates that over 34,000 people perished in such accidents in 2023, with motorcyclists accounting for the majority of these fatalities. Research points to excessive speed, impaired driving, and mobile phone use while driving as frequent contributing factors.
In a separate incident in February, 15 individuals died when a bus carrying pilgrims to a festival overturned in the northeastern state of Ceará.