SAO PAULO, Brazil - A devastating collision between a passenger bus and a truck on a highway in Minas Gerais claimed the lives of 37 people early Saturday morning.

This tragic incident has sent shockwaves throughout the nation as desperate rescue efforts unfold.

The bus, which had set off from Sao Paulo, was reportedly carrying 45 passengers when the accident occurred. Emergency responders from the Minas Gerais fire department swiftly arrived at the scene, where they managed to transport 13 injured individuals to local hospitals near the city of Teofilo Otoni.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the chaos began when the bus experienced a tire blowout, causing the driver to lose control and crash into the truck. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that a granite block may have impacted the vehicle, contributing to the horror of the incident. A nearby car, carrying three passengers, also got caught in the wreckage but thankfully escaped without injuries.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe, Governor Romeu Zema took to social media, pledging "full mobilization" of state resources to support the victims' families during this tragic time, particularly poignant as it occurs just days before Christmas.

"We are working to ensure that families of the victims are supported to face this tragedy in the most humane way possible," Zema emphasized.

This incident highlights a grim reality in Brazil, where road safety remains a major concern.

Recent statistics from the Ministry of Transportation indicate that over 10,000 people lost their lives in traffic-related accidents across the nation in 2024 alone.

The frequency of such tragedies raises alarms about the need for improved safety regulations and enforcement.

In a similar vein, another tragic event occurred in September when a bus carrying a football team flipped over, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

This incident involved the Coritiba Crocodiles, whose journey to a championship game was abruptly halted by the deadly accident, highlighting the ongoing crisis surrounding road safety in Brazil.

As investigations into Saturday’s horrific crash continue, the focus remains on the victims and their loved ones, as the nation mourns yet another tragic loss on its roadways.