A devastating bus accident in Itapetininga, Brazil, has claimed the lives of 10 people and left 42 others injured. The tragedy occurred on Friday morning when a bus carrying 55 passengers crashed into a bridge pillar on a highway near Itapetininga, approximately 170 kilometers from São Paulo.What makes this incident particularly heart-wrenching is that all the deceased were members of the same family. They were on their way to the Sanctuary of Aparecida, a journey they had been making annually for 40 years as part of a devout Catholic pilgrimage.Iracema Santos Moraes, the family’s matriarch, lost her brother, two nephews, and other relatives in the accident. She described the family as “very united and Catholic”. Among the victims was Moacir Ferreira de Moraes, the organizer of the trip, along with his two sons, two daughters-in-law, a grandson, and his wife.The cause of the accident is still under investigation. However, local transportation authorities have suggested that a mechanical failure may have led to the driver losing control of the vehicle. The bus company, Ônix Turismo, has offered assistance to the families and is cooperating with the investigation.In response to this tragedy, the local government has declared a three-day mourning period and is providing support to the families of the victims. The community of Ribeirão Branco, where the family was from, is reported to be in shock.This accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and proper vehicle maintenance, especially for long-distance travel and pilgrimages that are common in Brazil.
Key points
- A bus accident in Itapetininga, Brazil killed 10 people and injured 42, all from the same family.
- The family was on an annual pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Aparecida, a tradition they had maintained for 40 years.
- Local authorities suspect a mechanical failure may have caused the driver to lose control.
- The local government has declared a three-day mourning period and is providing support to the victims’ families.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of injured, with some sources stating 42 and others mentioning 37 minor to moderate injuries and 5 serious injuries.
