Deadly Bus-Truck Collision in Brazil Claims 38 Lives

A fiery crash on a major highway in Minas Gerais leaves dozens dead, with investigations underway into the cause of the tragedy.

A bus carrying 45 passengers collided with a truck early Saturday on the BR-116 highway near Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, killing 38 people and injuring 13 others.
The bus, traveling from São Paulo to Bahia, burst into flames after the crash, with the driver among the deceased, while all three passengers in a car involved in the collision survived.
Conflicting witness accounts suggest either a blown tire caused the bus to lose control or a granite block from the truck fell onto the road, triggering the collision.
Authorities have launched a forensic investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident, which is one of Brazil's deadliest road incidents in recent years.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Governor Romeu Zema expressed condolences and pledged government support for the victims' families during the holiday season.