Cape Verde Mourns 25 Bus Crash Victims, Most Of Them Children And Teenagers

Cape Verde Declares Two Days of Mourning After Bus Crash Kills 25

Cape Verde has declared two days of national mourning following a tragic bus crash on Fogo Island that claimed the lives of 25 people, most of them children and teenagers.

Funeral ceremonies for 18 of the victims were held on Sunday afternoon, while seven others were laid to rest earlier in the day. Families, friends and residents gathered across the island to accompany the coffins to their final resting places and honour those who lost their lives.

The accident occurred late Saturday when a bus carrying 32 people, including schoolchildren, veered off the road while returning to São Filipe after a day-long excursion and plunged into a deep ravine.

The driver, who was also among those killed, had reportedly organised the annual outing as a gift for pupils he transported to school during the academic term.

Emergency responders worked throughout the night to rescue people trapped in the wreckage. By Sunday, 12 survivors remained in hospital, with two reported to be in serious condition.

President José Maria Neves attended some of the funeral ceremonies and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The tragedy has plunged Fogo Island into mourning, with communities coming together to support the bereaved families and pay tribute to the victims.