The number of people who died as a result of a bus accident in Serra dos Ventos, in Pernambuco, between the municipalities of Paranatama and Saloá, rose to 17. 
The vehicle, which was destined for Brumado, in Bahia, carried 40 passengers. According to the Pernambuco Health Department, 17 people are hospitalized at the Dom Moura Regional Hospital, in Garanhuns.
According to the Secretary of Social Defense of Pernambuco, Alessandro Carvalho, the driver said that “the brakes were missing”
“This is a statement that he made and that will be considered. The location is undergoing inspection, the vehicle will be inspected and all statements will be taken so that it can be concluded whether there was a mechanical failure”, he said at a press conference this Saturday (18).
The general delegate of the Civil Police of Pernambuco, Renato Rocha, said at the press conference that now the main focus is on identifying the bodies, so that they can be handed over to the families.
Accident
The accident happened around 8pm, when the bus entered the opposite lane, collided with rocks on the side of the road and then hit a sand bank before overturning. The causes are still being investigated by the PRF.
The driver suffered only minor injuries and underwent a breathalyzer test, which showed a negative result for alcohol consumption, as reported by the PRF in a note.
The PRF also reported that there is evidence that some passengers were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, which may have contributed to the severity of the deaths and injuries. Rescue and forensic teams continue to work at the scene to determine the causes of the accident and identify all victims.
