The number of victims has risen to 38 after a bus collided with a truck in Brazil's Minas Gerais state. According to authorities, the vehicle, which was carrying a total of 45 people, burst into flames.
The tragic accident occurred on the BR-116 highway in the early hours of Saturday morning. A bus collided with a truck and burst into flames near the town of Teofilo Otoni, Minas Gerais state.
Brazil. The bus collided with a truck. The number of victims continues to rise
Firefighters initially estimated the death toll at 32 or 35. Police later announced that 38 people had died. The driver and one child were among them. A total of 45 people traveled by bus.
The identities of some of the victims may only be determined after DNA testing. He added that a forensic investigation will be needed to determine the cause of the accident, as eyewitness testimony differs.
See: Passengers Trapped Inside the Bus. Accident near Bochnia
cause of the accident. Witnesses testify to two versions
Some witnesses said the bus' tire burst, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a truck.
Others said a granite block fell from the truck's trailer and landed in front of the oncoming bus. It is unclear which of these versions is true, as the bus was almost completely burned.
See also: Woman hit by two cars. Tragic accident in Pomerania
After the accident, both vehicles were struck by another vehicle, but the occupants were not injured.
According to Brazilian portal site Globo, the truck driver fled the scene and is wanted by police.
It was the most tragic road accident in Brazil since 2007, according to police data cited by local news outlets.
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