Van Crash in Mexico Kills 12, Triggers Forest Fire
At least 12 people lost their lives and four others were injured on Sunday after a van plunged into a ravine and caught fire in northern Mexico, igniting a blaze in the surrounding forest.
The accident occurred in Nuevo Leon, a northern state bordering the U.S., near Monterrey, the state capital.
In a video message, Santiago Mayor David de la Peña stated that mechanical failure appeared to be the cause of the crash.
The van, which was carrying about 16 passengers, fell nearly 120 meters (394 feet) into the ravine. Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the victims or whether the driver was among them.
While some victims died at the scene, others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to the hospital.
Images shared by authorities showed thick smoke rising from the dry forest, with a helicopter deployed to control the fast-spreading flames.
This incident adds to a series of deadly road accidents in Mexico. Earlier this month, 11 people died in a bus rollover in the south, while last month, 41 people lost their lives in a bus-truck collision. Late last year, 19 fatalities were recorded in another bus crash in central Mexico.
