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Bus-truck collision leaves 8 dead on BR-251 highway in Minas Gerais

4 sources · 25 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press composed from multiple sources

A head-on collision between an interstate bus and a truck carrying automotive parts left eight people dead in the early hours of Sunday (24) on BR-251 highway in Santa Cruz de Salinas, northern Minas Gerais. The accident occurred around 4:30 AM at kilometer 234 of the highway, according to information from the Fire Department and Federal Highway Police.

Press quotes (1)
G1

"Uma batida entre um ônibus e uma carreta, seguida de incêndio, deixou pelo menos oito pessoas mortas e outras nove feridas na BR-251, em Santa Cruz de Salinas, no Norte de Minas, na manhã deste domingo (24). Segundo informações do Corpo de Bombeiros e da Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF), os veículos foram tomados pelas chamas após o impacto. O acidente foi registrado no km 234 da BR-251, em Santa Cruz de Salinas. De acordo com a PRF, a colisão frontal ocorreu por volta das 4h30"

Both vehicles caught fire after impact. All fatalities were on the bus, which was carrying 15 passengers and two drivers, and died trapped in the wreckage. At least nine people were injured and taken to regional hospitals. The truck driver was treated by emergency services.

Press quotes (1)
Veja

"todas as vítimas fatais estavam no ônibus e morreram presas entre as ferragens. Os corpos foram encontrados pelas equipes de socorro carbonizados"

The bus was traveling from São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, to Aracaju, Sergipe. The truck was carrying vehicle parts and had departed from Fortaleza, Ceará, bound for Piracicaba in São Paulo's interior. The highway remained closed in both directions after the accident, causing traffic jams of up to 30 kilometers.

Press quotes (1)
O Tempo

"o ônibus interestadual seguia de São Bernardo do Campo, em São Paulo, para Aracaju, em Sergipe. Já a carreta, saiu de Fortaleza, no Ceará, com destino a Piracicaba, no interior paulista"

Among the fatalities was a child, according to preliminary information released by rescue teams. The accident occurred near the Santa Cruz gas station, on the Bahia-bound lane.

Press quotes (1)
Veja

"Entre os mortos, haveria uma criança"

1. What we know (2)

Head-on collision occurred at 4:30 AM at km 234 of BR-251 in Santa Cruz de Salinas

3 sources G1 Veja O Tempo

All fatalities were on the bus and died from burns

3 sources G1 Veja O Tempo
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (1)

Among the victims was a child

Reported by: Veja
Did not cover: G1 O Tempo

Conflicting versions (1)

Exact location of accident on BR-251

2 sources — "Accident occurred at km 234": G1 Veja
1 source — "Accident occurred at km 236": O Tempo
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What was the technical cause of the head-on collision between the vehicles?

    Why it's still unknown: Authorities have not released information about the circumstances that led to the accident, such as road conditions, mechanical failure, or human error

    Did not cover: G1 Veja O Tempo
  • Which company operated the interstate bus?

    Why it's still unknown: No source confirmed the identification of the company responsible for the transport

    Did not cover: G1 Veja O Tempo
  • Does the BR-251 have a history of serious accidents in this section?

    Why it's still unknown: Road safety statistics for km 234 or the section near Santa Cruz de Salinas were not disclosed

    Did not cover: G1 Veja O Tempo

All sources

4