A devastating bus accident occurred on Interstate 20 near Vicksburg, Mississippi, on August 31, 2024, resulting in seven fatalities and dozens of injuries. The bus, a 2018 Volvo operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos, was carrying 47 passengers, mostly from Latin America, when it overturned due to tire failure around 12:30 am local time.Among the victims were a 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, believed to be from Guatemala. Six passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while the seventh succumbed to injuries at Merit Health Hospital in Vicksburg. An additional 37 passengers were transported to various hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson, with their conditions ranging from critical to stable.The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in coordination with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, has launched an investigation into the incident. Miranda Fernández, a spokesperson for Autobuses Regiomontanos, stated that ‘all passengers go through proper immigration checks and must show their passports or visas to enter Mexico or the US’.This tragic event has raised concerns about bus safety standards and the broader issues surrounding cross-border transportation and immigration. Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, ‘Anytime you have people injured or killed, it’s tragic but when you have a situation like this where you have multiple fatalities and multiple injuries, it makes it even worse’.As investigations continue, authorities are working to identify all victims and determine the exact cause of the tire failure that led to this catastrophic accident. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance and safety measures in long-distance bus travel, particularly for cross-border routes.
Key points
- A bus crash in Mississippi resulted in seven fatalities and dozens of injuries.
- The accident involved a bus operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos, carrying mostly Latin American passengers.
- The NTSB and Mississippi Highway Patrol are investigating the incident, which was reportedly caused by tire failure.
- The crash has raised concerns about bus safety standards and cross-border transportation issues.
Contradictions👾While most sources report 37 injured passengers taken to hospitals, some articles mention that the exact number of injured is unknown.
