Cape Verde Mourns 25 Dead in Tragic Fogo Island Bus Crash
Cape Verdean Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho has labeled a devastating bus crash on Fogo Island as the “greatest tragedy” to strike the nation since it gained independence. The horrific accident, which occurred on Saturday, claimed 25 lives and left 14 others injured.
A Nation in Mourning
The disaster took place in the locality of Campanas de Cima, in the municipality of Santa Catarina do Fogo. A bus carrying 39 passengers, including several students, veered off the road and plunged approximately 30 meters down a steep embankment. The government has declared two days of national mourning to honor the victims.
“We are talking about the greatest tragedy we have ever had in post-independence Cape Verde,” Prime Minister Carvalho stated during a press conference on Fogo Island after meeting with grieving families and visiting the crash site.
Emergency Response and Investigation
In the wake of the disaster, the Prime Minister announced the creation of a permanent multidisciplinary emergency response team. This specialized unit will remain on standby to ensure that the government can react instantly to future crises without administrative delays.
To determine the exact cause of the crash, experts from the Ministry of Infrastructure will arrive on Fogo Island this Tuesday. Their investigation will focus on both the mechanical condition of the vehicle and the safety of the road infrastructure. “We want technical experts to provide a certain analysis so we can present conclusions based on specialist data,” Carvalho emphasized.
Support for the Families
The government has mobilized a specialized medical and psychological task force to assist survivors and the bereaved families across the municipalities of São Filipe, Santa Catarina, and Mosteiros. Currently, 13 people remain hospitalized at the São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital, with four reported to be in serious condition.
To assist with the immediate needs of the community, the government is funding travel for first-degree relatives who need to reach Fogo Island. The Prime Minister noted that exceptions may be made to provide travel support for more distant relatives on a case-by-case basis.
Future Safety Measures
Beyond the immediate investigation, the executive branch plans to modernize the country’s Civil Protection services. This includes the acquisition of new ambulances, firefighting equipment, and enhanced training programs for emergency responders.
A dedicated crisis cabinet will continue to operate in the coming weeks to review the tragedy and produce long-term safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such a high-casualty event on the nation’s roads.
Image: Pexels – Nico Marín
