A tragic multi-vehicle collision on a highway in Mexico has resulted in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, according to local officials. The accident, involving three vehicles, took place on Wednesday morning, May 14, on the road linking Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in the state of Puebla.
Samuel Aguilar Pala, a government official from Puebla, confirmed that 18 victims perished at the scene, while three others died from their injuries after being taken to local hospitals. Several injured passengers are currently being treated, though the exact number and conditions of these survivors have not been disclosed.
According to La Jornada newspaper, the sequence of events started when a gas tanker truck attempted to pass a van on the highway. While in the opposing lane, the truck collided with an oncoming bus before crashing head-on into a transport van. The truck then fell into a ravine beside the highway, where it caught fire.
Videos shared on social media depict a large cloud of smoke rising from the crash site and extensive damage to the highway guardrail, with a long section completely destroyed. The footage, shared by a local journalist but not independently verified, highlights the crash’s severity.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of serious highway accidents in Mexico. Just three months earlier, another major bus crash in Tabasco, in the southern region, resulted in numerous fatalities.
The Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway, traversing mountainous areas, is regarded as one of Mexico’s more difficult routes for drivers. The combination of winding roads, steep inclines, and heavy commercial traffic poses risks that can become deadly when drivers engage in risky behaviors like overtaking, as seen in this recent accident.
The transport van involved was operated by Smart Transports, which has committed to covering medical and funeral expenses. Investigations into such incidents typically examine several factors, including driver actions, vehicle maintenance records, road conditions, and adherence to safety regulations.
The Mexican Federal Highway Administration has increased patrols along the route and introduced temporary speed limits during the investigation. Local emergency services have set up a support center for victims’ families at a community center in Tehuacán, Puebla.
This event occurs as Mexico’s transportation ministry continues efforts to enhance safety standards on major highways nationwide. In recent years, the government has invested in infrastructure upgrades and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, though critics argue these measures have been insufficient given the ongoing occurrence of major accidents.
Road safety advocates point to several issues contributing to Mexico’s highway safety challenges, such as aging vehicle fleets, inadequate driver training, and economic pressures that can push commercial drivers to work long hours or take risks to meet tight schedules.
Residents near the accident site reported hearing the collision and seeing smoke from a distance.
Emergency services from various municipalities responded to the scene, with helicopters transporting the most critically injured survivors to specialized trauma centers in Puebla City and Mexico City.
