An aerial view of residents and relatives of the victims killed in a bus crash gathering during their funeral at Sao Lourenco Church in the town of Sao Lourenco, on the island of Fogo, on September 6, 2026.
At least 25 killed in bus plunge into a ravine in Cape Verde
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- Government declares two days of national mourning and orders an inquiry.
- Driver dies during the student excursion he organized as an annual tradition.
Cape Verde was plunged into grief on Sunday following a catastrophic bus accident on Fogo Island that claimed the lives of 25 people, mostly children and teenagers.
Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho ordered two days of national mourning and pledged additional governmental measures as national leaders gathered alongside grieving families at a local church on Fogo Island.
Eighteen coffins were displayed during Sunday's mass, reflecting the overwhelming toll on the small Atlantic community.
The disaster occurred late Saturday evening along a mountainous road as the vehicle returned from an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras, a village situated inside the volcanic crater of Pico do Fogo.
The bus veered off the thoroughfare and plunged approximately 30 meters down a deep, rocky ravine.
Emergency response, community mourning
Among the deceased was the bus driver, who privately arranged the excursion every year as a personal gift for the students he drove to school during term time.
Emergency responders and volunteers worked through the night in difficult, rocky terrain to rescue survivors trapped in the wreckage.
Bodies and injured passengers began arriving at the São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital in Fogo between 11:00 PM and midnight on Saturday.
Dr. Dionisio Semedo confirmed that 12 individuals remain hospitalized, with two in serious condition.
Due to the severity of the crash impact, seven victims were buried early Sunday morning, with remaining burials scheduled throughout the day, according to public radio network RCV.
President José Maria Neves characterized the disaster as a "great catastrophe" and confirmed a full investigation will examine the vehicle's mechanics and road conditions.
Fatal traffic accidents of this scale are exceptionally rare across Cape Verde's well-maintained road network.
