At least 17 people lost their lives in a horrifying bus accident in western Mexico on Thursday. The passenger bus careened off a highway and plunged into a deep ravine, causing significant casualties. State officials reported that 22 more passengers were injured, but their conditions were stable.
The rescue operation proved to be extremely challenging, as the ravine, located in Nayarit state, was approximately 50 meters (164 ft) deep. Jorge Benito Rodriguez, the security and civil protection secretary for Nayarit state, described the rescue efforts as “extremely difficult.”
Among the victims were 14 adults and three children who tragically lost their lives in the accident. The bus, part of the Elite passenger line, was carrying around 40 passengers en route to Tijuana when the tragedy struck. The cause of the accident remains unclear, and authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what led to the bus veering off the road.
Heartbreaking images surfaced earlier on Thursday, showing ambulances lining the highway and uniformed officials working diligently in the ravine to move passengers from the site. Nayarit’s Civil Protection and Firefighters were quick to respond, offering assistance to the victims and initiating the rescue efforts.
The bus crash occurred near Barranca Blanca on the highway outside the state capital, Tepic, leaving communities in the region in mourning. A source from Nayarit’s firefighting service revealed that six Indian citizens were among those onboard the bus at the time of the accident, adding to the international impact of the tragedy.
This unfortunate accident marks the second major bus crash in Mexico in the past two months. Last month, another bus crash in the southern state of Oaxaca resulted in the loss of 29 lives. Additionally, in February, a bus carrying migrants from South and Central America crashed in central Mexico, claiming the lives of 17 individuals.
The recent series of bus accidents has ignited discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations for public transportation. Authorities and transportation agencies are under heightened scrutiny as they work to ensure passenger safety on Mexico’s roadways.
