On October 6, in Oaxaca, Mexico, a serious bus accident resulted in the death of 16 migrants, three of whom were children.
The bus, which had 55 passengers aboard, was primarily transporting people from Venezuela, with some from Haiti and Peru. The accident took place on a highway, reportedly due to a collision between the bus and a freight truck. Photographic evidence from the accident site showed the bus in an overturned state, exhibiting extensive damage.
The event brings to light concerns regarding the dangers faced by migrants traveling these routes in hopes of reaching the US border. Many times, such journeys are facilitated by smuggling operations using unsafe vehicles that are often overcrowded. Of the individuals involved in this crash, 29 sustained injuries and were transferred to hospitals in the nearby state of Puebla.
It was noted that the Venezuelan passengers aboard this bus were on their way to seek asylum in the US, with scheduled appointments via the CBP One program.
The governor of Oaxaca expressed his condolences in the wake of this tragedy, assuring that all necessary assistance would be provided to the injured individuals. As the inquiry into the incident proceeds, the overarching concern about migrant safety during their passage through Mexico remains a central issue.