Tragic Island Bus Crash
Bus Crash on Cape Verde's Fogo Island Leaves At Least 25 Dead
Anonymous
Key Points
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The crash occurred Saturday evening on the Campanas de Cima route in the mountainous northern part of São Filipe municipality, as the bus was returning from an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras inside the Pico do Fogo volcanic crater.
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Local reports said 20 victims died at the crash site and five later died in hospital; seven victims were buried soon afterward because of the condition of their bodies.
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President José Maria Neves described the crash as a “great catastrophe,” offered condolences to victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
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Officials said such serious road accidents are relatively uncommon in Cape Verde, where the road infrastructure is generally considered to be in good condition.
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The São Filipe Municipal Council declared two days of official mourning and said its teams were coordinating with health officials, police and volunteer firefighters to provide immediate assistance to victims and families.
At least 25 people, mostly children and teenagers, died Saturday evening when a passenger bus veered off a mountainous road on Cape Verde's Fogo Island and plunged roughly 30 meters into a rocky ravine Yahoo News. The bus was returning from an excursion near Chã das Caldeiras inside a volcanic crater when it crashed around 9 p.m. local time on the Campanas de Cima route. Twenty victims died at the scene, and five more died in hospitals from their injuries People.
The bus carried 32 passengers, and the driver—who organized the annual school trip—was among the dead Yahoo News. Several survivors suffered critical injuries. President José Maria Neves called the crash a "great catastrophe" and offered condolences to families. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the accident and launched an investigation.
Rescue Efforts Slowed by Extreme Terrain
The wreckage landed in a deep, rocky ravine that rescue vehicles could not reach directly Yahoo News. This forced rescuers to navigate difficult mountain terrain on foot. Some victims remained trapped, and the harsh geography delayed medical access for critically injured passengers. Local residents, medical workers, and volunteer firefighters coordinated immediate assistance efforts.
Government Mobilizes Specialists From Capital
The Cape Verde government dispatched medical teams from Praia, the capital city, to help victims and families Yahoo News. These teams included surgeons, orthopedic specialists, and psychologists. The São Filipe Municipal Council declared two days of official mourning and coordinated with health officials and police to provide support. Officials praised the work of rescuers and local volunteers.
Fatal Private Trip Lacked School Oversight
The excursion was privately organized by the driver rather than formally managed by schools Yahoo News. The annual trip took students to Chã das Caldeiras inside the Pico do Fogo volcanic crater. Because the driver died in the crash, details about the trip's safety arrangements remain unclear. Authorities have not determined what caused the bus to leave the road.
Serious Road Crashes Remain Rare in Cape Verde
Officials said such severe road accidents are uncommon in Cape Verde, where road infrastructure is generally considered to be in good condition Yahoo News. This tragedy exposed vulnerabilities created by the island nation's remoteness and limited specialist capacity. The incident highlighted how quickly a routine school outing can turn fatal on mountainous cliffside routes with little room for error.
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