At least 25 people, most of them children and teenagers, have died after a bus carrying students plunged about 30 metres into a steep ravine on Cape Verde’s Fogo island.
The crash happened on Saturday, September 5, along the mountainous Chã das Caldeiras–Campanas route near Campanas de Cima. Fourteen people were injured, three of whom were reported to be in critical condition, according to the latest information released by local authorities.
The bus was returning toward São Filipe following an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras, an area inside the crater of the Pico do Fogo volcano, when it left the road and fell into the rocky valley below.
• At least 25 people have died
• Twenty victims died at the scene and five at hospital
• Fourteen people were injured, with three in critical condition
• Many of the passengers were children and teenagers
• The bus fell approximately 30 metres into a ravine
• Police are investigating the cause
Children and teenagers among Cape Verde bus crash victims
Cape Verde’s national news agency Inforpress reported that 20 people were pronounced dead at the crash site. Five others died after being taken to the São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital on Fogo.
Nineteen children and teenagers initially arrived at the hospital’s emergency department. Hospital officials said the patients were aged between six and 16 and had suffered multiple injuries, particularly to their lower limbs. Several also sustained serious head injuries.
After the five hospital deaths, 14 injured passengers remained under medical care. The São Filipe municipal authority said three were in critical condition.
A specialist medical team, including surgeons, a neurosurgeon and an orthopaedic doctor, was sent from the capital, Praia, to reinforce the hospital. Officials were also assessing whether the most seriously injured patients needed to be transferred to the University Hospital Dr Agostinho Neto.
Doctors who were off duty or on holiday returned to help, while medical professionals from Mosteiros, Santa Catarina do Fogo and private clinics joined the emergency response.
Rescue teams faced extremely difficult conditions because the wreckage came to rest in a steep, rocky area that emergency vehicles could not easily reach. Firefighters, police officers, health workers and municipal teams continued working at the site during the night.
According to Reuters, education officials said the excursion had not been organised by a local school. It was described as an annual private trip arranged by the bus driver for students he transported during the school year. The driver was also among those killed.
The group reportedly included primary and secondary school pupils from communities including Curral Grande and Ponta Verde. They had visited the volcanic area before beginning the return journey toward São Filipe.
Two days of mourning declared as investigation begins
The São Filipe Municipal Council declared two days of official mourning and mobilised an assistance team to support the victims’ relatives. Authorities said emergency medical, psychological and social assistance would be provided to the affected families.
Cape Verde President José Maria Neves described the crash as a “great catastrophe” and travelled to Fogo on Sunday. Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho and the health minister were also expected to support the emergency response and meet grieving families.
Seven victims were buried during the early hours of Sunday following guidance from health officials because of the condition of their remains. Identification work continued before other victims were released to their families.
The country’s national elections were taking place on Sunday, but voting was reportedly suspended on Fogo following the tragedy.
The exact cause of the crash has not yet been established. Cape Verde’s National Police is expected to investigate why the bus left the road, including the vehicle’s condition and circumstances on the mountainous route.
Some reports have circulated online suggesting a tyre problem may have contributed to the accident. However, authorities had not publicly confirmed that explanation at the time of publication.
Fogo is one of Cape Verde’s volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. Its roads include steep slopes and sharp bends around the Pico do Fogo region.
The disaster is believed to be one of the deadliest road accidents on the island in recent years. The confirmed figures may be revised as authorities continue treating the injured and formally documenting the victims.
Swikblog has also reported on emergency operations in difficult terrain, including the rescue of two workers from Nepal’s Trishuli 3A tunnel and the response to a deadly flash-flood emergency at the Grand Canyon.
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