A tragic road accident in northern Mexico claimed the lives of 12 people and injured four others on Sunday. The incident occurred when a pickup truck plunged into a ravine, also igniting a forest fire that was subsequently brought under control.
The accident took place in the mountainous Santiago area of Nuevo Leon state. According to Erik Cavazos, district director of Civil Protection, the truck was carrying 16 people when it fell. Eleven occupants died at the scene, with a minor succumbing to injuries later at a hospital. The remaining four individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. David de la Pena, the municipal president of Santiago, suggested a possible mechanical failure as no skid marks were found on the road, indicating the brakes weren’t applied before the vehicle went over the edge.
The Civil Protection Department confirmed that the truck’s fall sparked a forest fire, which was quickly extinguished by emergency responders.
This incident adds to a series of recent road tragedies in Mexico. Earlier this month, on March 11, two highway accidents resulted in 32 fatalities across the north and south of the country. In a separate incident on February 8, a collision between a cargo truck and a passenger bus in the southeastern state of Campeche led to 38 deaths, marking one of the year’s most devastating events.
Road accidents are a persistent concern in Mexico, often involving cargo trucks. Factors such as poorly maintained vehicles, reckless behavior, and driver fatigue are often cited as contributing causes.
