Cape Verde Bus Crash Kills 25, Mostly Students, on Fogo Island

Some 25 people died in a bus crash on Cape Verde's Fogo Island on Saturday, with most victims identified as young people, teenagers, and students from the Curral Grande and Ponta Verde areas.

The crash occurred late Saturday evening along the Campanas de Cima route, a winding and mountainous stretch of road connecting the area with São Filipe. The bus, carrying 32 people, was returning to São Filipe after an excursion to Cha das Caldeiras, a village within the Pico do Fogo volcano crater. The vehicle veered off the road and fell about 30 meters (100ft) into a rocky ravine, complicating rescue efforts due to the steep and difficult terrain.

The bus driver, who regularly organized this annual excursion for the students he transported during the school year, was among the dead. Education Ministry delegate José Pedro Gonçalves in São Filipe stated the trip was not organized by the schools. Of the fatalities, 20 died at the scene and five died in the hospital overnight.

Around a dozen passengers were transported to São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital, with four in serious condition. Seven victims were buried early Sunday due to the condition of their bodies. Cape Verde's President José Maria Pereira Neves called the accident a great catastrophe. The president and other officials are expected to visit the island on Sunday. Religious festivities in honor of Their Lady of Light were cancelled. The cause of the crash is unknown.