A collision between a minibus and a lorry on the BR-373 highway in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná claimed the lives of at least 21 people and left four others injured. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning around 4:30 a.m. local time.
The minibus was reportedly transporting patients and their relatives from the city of Imbituva to health appointments in Ponta Grossa, a distance of approximately 60 kilometers. The cause of the head-on collision is currently under investigation by authorities.
The highway was closed to traffic as forensic experts and members of Brazil's federal highway police examined the scene at kilometer 209. Road accidents are a significant issue in Brazil, with over 34,000 traffic-related deaths recorded in 2023, according to a World Bank study. Excessive speed, impaired driving, and mobile phone use are frequently cited as contributing factors in such incidents. In February, a bus carrying pilgrims crashed in the northeastern state of Ceará, killing 15 people.