17 people died in a bus crash in the Brazilian state of Alagoas; several dozen rescued

At least 17 people died and 29 others were rescued after a bus crashed on Sunday in the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas, the state health secretariat said.

The secretariat said in a statement that one person was taken to Mata Regional Hospital but died of his injuries, while the others died at the scene.

Details of the accident were not released, but local media reported that the bus overturned on a cliff in the region.

Alagoas Governor Paulo Dantas ordered three days of mourning for those who died.

“I have ordered full mobilization of the state, and fire brigade and health care teams are engaged to help,” the governor added in a statement.

In his X account, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the federal government was monitoring the situation and would support state authorities in rescuing and caring for the victims. REUTERS