Of the 41 people killed in the accident that occurred on December 21st, on BR 116, in Teófilo Otoni (MG), 26 have already been identified, according to the state’s Civil Police. Nine of them, this Saturday morning, through DNA tests.
Of the bodies identified, 16 have already been removed by family members. According to criminal expert Felipe Dapieve, from the Civil Police, 13 were identified through papilloscopic (fingerprint) examinations and three through forensic dentistry.
The other bodies are still under analysis. “We are collecting DNA to compare the genetic material of family members,” said the expert.
The accident occurred during the early hours of the morning, around 3:30 am, according to the head of the 15th Teófilo Otoni Police Department, delegate Amauri Albuquerque. All the victims were on the bus that collided head-on with a trailer and then caught fire. Most of the victims were trapped in the wreckage and their bodies were charred.
A third vehicle, a passenger car, which was behind the bus, was also involved in the accident, but the occupants suffered minor injuries. The interstate transport bus, belonging to the company Emtram, had left São Paulo (SP) headed for Elísio Medrado (BA).
The driver of the truck involved in the accident, Arilton Bastos Alves, gave a statement lasting more than six hours to the Civil Police on Monday (23). He was subsequently released.
