At least 11 dead in western Mexico after bus careens off highway

The holiday weekend in Mexico was marred by tragedy as a tourist bus plunged off a highway in Nayarit, claiming the lives of at least 11 people and leaving 31 injured. The bus, en route to a recreational destination from Jalisco, overturned near Amatlan de Canas, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on Mexican roads.

This incident underscores a persistent problem in Mexico, where buses serve as a primary mode of transportation due to the scarcity of passenger rail services. The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum is actively working to rectify this by expanding the nation's rail network, aiming to connect more regions and potentially reduce such devastating accidents in the future.

While tragic, this accident is not an isolated event. Mexico has a history of serious bus crashes, including a collision in September that killed 10 and injured 61, and another in February 2025 where a bus fire resulted in over 40 fatalities. These incidents highlight the urgent need for improved road safety and transportation infrastructure across the country.

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Deadly bus crashes are frequent in Latin America and on Mexico’s highways.