At least 21 people lost their lives in a tragic multi-vehicle crash on Wednesday morning along the Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway in Mexico’s central Puebla state, a local official confirmed.

The deadly collision involved a cement tanker truck, a passenger bus, and a van. Samuel Aguilar Pala, a local government representative, stated that 18 victims died at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries later in hospital.

Several more individuals were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment, he added in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

According to reports from La Jornada, the accident occurred when the cement truck attempted to overtake a van. In doing so, it veered into the opposite lane and crashed head-on into the bus.

The impact caused a chain reaction, sending the truck crashing into the van before plunging into a ravine and erupting in flames.

Footage shared on social media by a local journalist shows thick black smoke billowing from the ravine and a long stretch of highway railing ripped away by the impact. While the video remains unverified, it highlights the severity of the crash.

Highways in Mexico have seen a series of deadly incidents in recent years.

In February, a separate bus accident in the southern state of Tabasco claimed dozens of lives, underscoring persistent concerns over road safety and vehicle regulation across the country.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of Wednesday’s crash as emergency services continue their recovery and support efforts at the scene.

The loss of life in this latest incident has once again brought national attention to the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and improved road safety measures across Mexico’s major transport routes.

SMS/