In an area known as Peraya, belonging to the Tokuko Mission, in the Sierra de Perijá, an accident occurred during the evening hours of this Saturday, August 24, resulting in three indigenous people of the Barí ethnic group dead and at least twelve people injured.
Police commissions from the state of Zulia and the Machiques Fire Department reported that the fatal victims were identified as Miguel Albaktrai, Alexa Jiménez and Yoel Melean and reported that among the injured were several children, who along with the rest of those involved in the accident, were taken to various health centers in the Machiques de Perijá municipality.
Preliminary reports indicated that the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in an area known as Peraya, part of the Tokuko Mission, where the driver of a 350 truck, transporting a group of people on its rear platform, lost control, overturned and fell into a ravine, causing the tragedy.
Police and firefighters arrived at the scene and took charge of helping the injured. It was reported that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples is already aware of what happened and that there are personnel working to provide the victims with the care they require.
It was learned that one of the deceased, Miguel Albaktrai, was the leader of an indigenous community in the Perijanera mountain range, while Yoel Medina was a young mechanic who lived in the community of Saimadoyi.
