54 dead after bus crash in southern Brazil

Monday, March 16, 2015

Correction — August 24, 2015

This article accurately reflects what was at the time believed to be the correct death toll. That has since been revised downwards to 51.

A bus carrying 60 passengers to a religious event in the Santa Catarina state of Brazil plunged over a cliff on Saturday evening. The driver reportedly lost control whilst approaching a curve, leading the bus to fall 400 metres into a wooded area just ten kilometres away from Joinville, the final destination. Whilst the cause of the accident is not yet confirmed, police believe that the brakes on the vehicle may have failed.

Approximately 100 rescue workers, plus fifteen ambulances and a helicopter were on the scene; although, the accident happened at nightfall making access to the area difficult. President Dilma Rousseff expressed her condolences upon hearing the news, saying: "In this hour of pain of suffering, I want to extend my sympathies to the families and friends who have lost their dear ones."

The roads that wind through the Dona Francisca mountain range are notoriously dangerous, with 110 fatalities on these roads in the past five years, according to police. Throughout the nation, with the World Health Organisation stating 43,000 people die annually in accidents on the congested and poorly maintained roads.

The first funerals for the recovered victims are to take place Monday.

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Sources

"Brazil bus crash: At least 49 killed on way to religious event" — BBC News Online, March 15, 2015
"Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 54" — RTE News, March 15, 2015
"54 dead as tourist bus plunges into ravine in Brazil" — Russia Today, March 15, 2015
Brian Walker and Ben Brumfield. "50 die after bus plunges off road in southern Brazil" — CNN, March 15, 2015

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Articles presented on Wikinews reflect the specific time at which they were written and published, and do not attempt to encompass events or knowledge which occur or become known after their publication.

Got a correction? Add the template {{editprotected}} to the talk page along with your corrections, and it will be brought to the attention of the administrators.

Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.