At least 21 fatalities in tragic highway collision in Mexico

The collision involved three vehicles and occurred on a highway between Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca, prompting an urgent response from local authorities.

In a tragic incident that unfolded on Wednesday morning in central Mexico, at least 21 people lost their lives in a severe road accident involving three vehicles. Samuel Aguilar Pala, a local government official, confirmed that 18 individuals died at the crash site, while three others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. The incident primarily involved a tanker truck, a passenger bus, and a transport van, raising questions about road safety in the region.

Local media reports suggest that the disaster began when a cement truck attempted to overtake a van, veering into oncoming traffic. The truck collided head-on with the bus before crashing into the transport van, ultimately careening into a ravine and bursting into flames. Eyewitness accounts and shared videos on social media captured the chaos, showing large plumes of smoke rising from the scene and debris scattered across the highway.

This harrowing crash is not an isolated incident; Mexico has seen a series of severe road accidents in recent years, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures. For reference, a tragic bus crash in Tabasco earlier this year claimed the lives of dozens of individuals, underlining the ongoing risks present on Mexico's highways. As the investigation into Wednesday's accident continues, authorities are poised to reevaluate road safety protocols to better protect travelers.