A tragedy unfolded on Sunday in the state of Pernambuco, in northeastern Brazil, when a bus collided with an Easter procession, killing at least four people, according to local authorities.
The region’s governor, Raquel Lyra, expressed her condolences to the families of the victims, saying on Instagram: “My thoughts are with the faithful and the families affected by the accident that occurred during the procession in Jaboatao, which caused the death of at least four people.
According to local firefighters, around twenty other people were injured in the accident. Mano Medeiros, mayor of Jaboatao dos Guarapes, described the accident as “serious” but did not specify the number of victims or the exact circumstances.
Videos circulating on social media and media outlets show the bus hurtling down a sloping street at high speed before hitting the procession below. The footage shows panicked worshipers trying to flee as the vehicle crashes into the group.
A witness, visibly upset, described the scene as “incredibly sad”, adding that there were “a lot of people, children, elderly people” in the procession.
According to local media, the bus driver fled after the accident. The authorities announced an investigation to determine the exact causes of the incident and punish those responsible.
