Bus carrying students plunges off cliff in Cape Verde, killing 25

At least 25 people died after a bus carrying students plunged nearly 30 metres from a mountain road into a rocky ravine on Cape Verde’s Fogo island. The vehicle reportedly carried 32 people when it left the road late Saturday.

The crash occurred on the route between Chã das Caldeiras and Campanas de Cima, in the mountainous northern part of the São Filipe municipality. The wreckage came to rest in a ravine that was difficult to access. The death toll rose rapidly, from an initial figure of 10 reported by President José María Neves to 21 and then 25 by Sunday morning. Seven bodies were buried overnight because of their condition.

Nineteen children and teenagers, eight girls and 11 boys, were taken to São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital. Five died from their injuries there, according to medical director Dionísio Semedo, who said all had suffered traumatic brain injuries. Two other teenagers remained in critical condition and at risk of death.

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a great catastrophe

Semedo said the victims were between six and 16 years old and had multiple injuries, especially to their lower limbs. Doctors continued conducting examinations to rule out further complications. Medical staff from outside the island were expected to reinforce the hospital, including doctors who had been on vacation and physicians from private clinics.

Although secondary-school students were on the bus, education officials said the trip was not a school outing. José Pedro Gonçalves, the Education Ministry’s delegate in São Filipe, said it was an annual journey that the driver usually organised during the school year. The driver was among those killed. Neves called the crash “a great catastrophe” and an “immense tragedy,” promised to attend the funerals and called for assistance to relatives and an investigation into the cause. Authorities also announced two days of national mourning.

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immense tragedy