In Oaxaca, Mexico, a bus accident on October 6 resulted in the deaths of 16 migrants. Among the deceased were three children.
Of the 55 passengers on board the bus, the majority hailed from Venezuela, with a number from Haiti and from Peru. The accident occurred on a highway, where initial reports suggest the bus collided with a freight truck. Images from the location depicted the bus as overturned, bearing significant damage, with the top blown off and windows shattered.
The circumstances of this accident underscore the growing concerns about the hazards migrants face while taking such routes, aiming for the US border. Often, these dangerous journeys are associated with smuggling operations using vehicles that are ill-suited for carrying large numbers of people. Following this incident, 29 injured individuals were relocated to Puebla-based hospitals for medical care.
The Venezuelan individuals on the bus had intended to apply for asylum in the US and had upcoming appointments organized through the CBP One program.
In response to the accident, the Oaxacan governor extended his sympathies and committed to assisting the injured. With the investigation still underway, the broader issue of the safety of migrants navigating through Mexico continues to be a focal point.