A tragic multi-vehicle collision on a Mexican highway has resulted in the deaths of at least 21 individuals, as reported by local authorities. The crash, which involved three vehicles, took place on Wednesday morning, May 14, on the highway linking Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in Puebla state, central Mexico.
Samuel Aguilar Pala, a Puebla government official, confirmed that 18 people died at the scene, while three others passed away after being taken to nearby hospitals. Several injured passengers are receiving medical treatment, although the precise number and condition of survivors have not been detailed.
According to La Jornada newspaper, the sequence of events began when a gas tanker truck tried to overtake a van on the highway. While in the opposite lane, the truck collided with an oncoming bus before crashing head-on into a transport van. The impact caused the truck to fall into a ravine alongside the highway, where it caught fire.
Footage circulating on social media shows a large plume of dark smoke rising from the accident site and extensive damage to the highway guardrail, with a significant section completely removed. The video, shared by a local journalist but not independently verified, highlights the collision’s severity.
This incident adds to a pattern of serious highway accidents in Mexico. Just three months ago, many people lost their lives in another major bus accident in Tabasco, in the country’s southern region.
The highway between Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca, cutting through mountainous terrain, is known as one of Mexico’s more challenging routes. The combination of winding roads, steep grades, and heavy commercial traffic creates hazardous conditions, especially when vehicles engage in risky maneuvers like the overtaking that seemingly triggered this accident.
The transport van was operated by Smart Transports, which has committed to covering medical and funeral expenses. Investigations into accidents of this scale typically assess various factors, including driver behavior, vehicle maintenance records, road conditions, and adherence to safety regulations.
The Mexican Federal Highway Administration increased patrols along the route and implemented temporary speed restrictions as the investigation continues. Local emergency services set up a support center for victims’ families at a community center in Tehuacán, Puebla.
This incident occurs as Mexico’s transportation ministry works to enhance safety standards on major highways across the country. In recent years, the government has invested in infrastructure improvements and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, though some critics argue these efforts have been insufficient given the ongoing occurrence of major accidents.
Road safety advocates highlight several factors contributing to Mexico’s highway safety issues, including aging vehicle fleets, inadequate driver training, and economic pressures that lead commercial drivers to work excessive hours or take risks to meet tight schedules.
Local residents near the accident site reported hearing the collision and seeing smoke from miles away.
Emergency services from multiple municipalities responded, with helicopters airlifting the most critically injured survivors to specialized trauma centers in Puebla City and Mexico City.