By Our Reporter
At least 25 people, mostly children and teenagers, have been killed in a tragic bus crash on Fogo Island in Cabo Verde.
The accident occurred on Saturday as the bus, carrying 32 passengers, was returning to São Filipe after an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras, a village located inside the crater of the Pico do Fogo volcano.
According to local authorities, the bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine, coming to rest in a rocky valley that was difficult for emergency responders to access.
Several passengers were injured in the crash, with some reportedly sustaining serious injuries.
José Canuto, head of civil protection in São Filipe, confirmed that rescue workers operated through the night to reach victims trapped inside the wreckage.
The deceased reportedly included the driver of the bus, who had organised the annual excursion as a gift for pupils he normally transported to school during the academic term.
Local public broadcaster RCV reported that seven victims were buried early Sunday, while funeral arrangements for the remaining victims were expected to follow later in the day.
The crash has shocked the island nation, where serious road accidents are considered relatively uncommon because of generally good road conditions.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the road and plunge into the ravine.