Tragic bus accident on Fogo island: at least 25 dead

The disaster occurred late Saturday evening on the route connecting the towns of Cha das Caldeiras and Campanas de Cima, in the mountainous part of the island of Fogo. The vehicle left the road and fell approximately 30 meters down a ravine.

According to local authorities and media, the passengers were returning from a trip. At least 25 people died in the accident, including the bus driver. Several travelers were injured, some of them seriously.

Most of the fatalities were children and teenagers, said Jose Canuto, a representative of the civil protection service in Sao Filipe, as quoted by AFP.

The cause of the disaster is unknown

The circumstances of the tragedy are being investigated. It has not yet been determined why the bus veered off the road.

Education authorities noted that the trip was not organized by local schools, although many primary and secondary school students were among the passengers.

They emphasized that it was an annual private trip organized by the bus driver.

The president talks about a "great disaster"

The president of the Republic of Cape Verde, Jose Maria Pereira Neves, described the accident as a "great disaster". He announced that he would go to Fogo Island together with government officials.