At least 25 people have died after a school bus carrying mostly teenagers plunged about 100 feet into a rocky ravine on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde.
The horrific crash happened at around 9 p.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 5, along the Campanas de Cima route.
The students were reportedly returning from a field trip in Chã das Caldeiras that had been organized by the bus driver when the vehicle left the road and plunged into the ravine.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
São Filipe Mayor Nuías Silva confirmed that 25 people were killed, including the bus driver.
According to local reports, seven of the victims were buried shortly after the crash because of the condition of their bodies.
Rescue crews rushed to the scene, where some passengers had been thrown from the bus while others remained trapped inside.
The steep and rocky terrain made the rescue and recovery effort especially difficult.
The bus was reportedly carrying schoolchildren from the communities of Curral Grande and Ponta Verde.
Around 19 victims were taken to São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital, with four said to be in serious condition.
Authorities, firefighters, police and health officials have been working together to assist the injured and support the families of those killed.
São Filipe’s Municipal Council released a statement expressing its “deepest solidarity” with the families of the victims, their classmates, teachers and the wider community.
Officials said a team remained at the scene in coordination with the Health Department, National Police, Municipal Volunteer Fire Department and other agencies.
Two days of national mourning were declared following the tragedy.
Cape Verde President José Maria Neves described the crash as “a great catastrophe.”
“I offer my condolences to the bereaved families, to the friends of the victims, and to the island of Fogo,” he said.
The investigation into what caused the bus to leave the road remains ongoing.
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