At least 21 people died after a trailer collided with a passenger bus on a highway in central Mexico on Wednesday.
Officials say the tragic accident happened on the busy road linking Puebla State to Oaxaca. Thick black smoke rose from the wreckage, as captured in photos shared by local media.
“Eighteen people died at the scene,” said Samuel Aguilar, a Puebla state official. “Three others died later in the hospital.”
Several others were injured. Authorities say they are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The exact number of injured passengers is still unknown.
The trailer truck and bus were both badly damaged. Parts of the vehicles were found scattered along the highway. Emergency responders battled the blaze and rescued survivors from the fiery wreckage.
Frequent Deadly Accidents on Mexican Roads
Road crashes have become common in Mexico, often caused by reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance. Freight trucks are often involved in these deadly crashes.
Transport officials have faced criticism over road safety laws. There are growing calls for tighter rules on long-distance haulage vehicles.
In February, a bus and lorry crash in Campeche killed 38 people. The following month, two crashes on the same day killed over 30 passengers. One of the crashes involved a coach returning from the U.S. state of Texas.
Data from the Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transport shows that heavy-duty trucks are involved in nearly 60% of major crashes on federal roads. Many of these vehicles are often overloaded or poorly maintained.
Safety advocates want tougher driver training, routine vehicle checks, and restrictions on overnight freight movement.
“We need better enforcement on our highways,” said Marco Sánchez, a local road safety campaigner. “Lives are being lost every week.”
Emergency Response and Government Action
Rescue crews arrived within minutes of the crash. Firefighters put out the blaze and cleared traffic from the highway. Victims’ families have been notified.
Local officials said an investigation has started to determine the cause of the collision. The government promised support for the families of the victims.
Mexico’s Ministry of Transport has called a meeting with haulage companies to discuss new safety plans. They also urged bus companies to conduct more frequent maintenance checks.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador described the accident as “a terrible loss.” He pledged to push for new safety reforms.
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