In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, April 28, 2024, a devastating accident occurred on the outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico. A bus transporting pilgrims to the holy site of Chalma sanctuary careened off the highway, resulting in a severe crash that took the lives of 18 individuals and injured 32 others.
The bus started its journey in San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato State, and met with the accident on a stretch near Malinalco, located in the southern region of Mexico State. This region borders the capital city on three sides.
As the bus was heading towards the sanctuary, a popular pilgrimage site attracting thousands of devotees each year, the incident occurred. The exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined, but the immediate aftermath was undeniably disastrous.
The secretary of security, in an official statement, confirmed that 14 passengers died at the accident site. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where an additional four succumbed to their injuries, bringing the total fatalities to 18.
Local media documented the community’s response, with residents providing water and blankets to the victims’ distressed families, demonstrating a spontaneous display of empathy and solidarity. One resident stated, “It was a reflex to help,” exemplifying the sense of community that often arises in the wake of such distressing events.
The state prosecutors’ offices in both Mexico and Guanajuato states are providing assistance to the families of the deceased and injured, helping them navigate the complexities that arise from such a sudden and large-scale emergency.
Delfina Gómez Álvarez, the governor of Mexico State, has pledged to reassess transportation policies and infrastructure, particularly the safety protocols for buses on pilgrimage routes, as these are frequently used by large groups.
As the inquiry into the accident progresses, the families affected are demanding transparency and accountability, hoping that their devastating loss will lead to measures that can prevent such tragedies in the future.