At least 17 people were killed when a passenger bus crashed into a sand embankment and overturned in northeastern Brazil on Saturday, authorities confirmed. The horrific accident occurred in Saloá, a small city in the state of Pernambuco, as the vehicle was en route to Brumado in neighboring Bahia state.
Police said the bus was carrying around 30 passengers at the time of the crash. The number of injured victims transported to local hospitals was not immediately released.
According to the initial investigation, the driver lost control of the vehicle, veered into the opposite lane, struck roadside rocks, and then swerved back before colliding with a sand embankment — the impact causing the bus to flip onto its side. Authorities said the driver sustained minor injuries and tested negative for alcohol.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Bahia Governor Jerônimo Teixeira expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “I am following the situation with my team and deeply mourn the loss of lives, the injuries and the suffering of all the families.”
Brazil continues to grapple with high rates of road fatalities. More than 10,000 people died in traffic accidents across the country in 2024, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
This latest tragedy follows several deadly bus crashes over the past year, including one in April that killed 11 people, among them two children, and another in February that left 12 dead when a bus carrying university students collided with a truck in São Paulo state.
As investigators work to determine the cause of Saturday’s crash, the Saloá community and families of the victims are left mourning yet another devastating reminder of Brazil’s road safety crisis.