A devastating multi-vehicle collision on a Mexican highway has claimed the lives of at least 21 people, according to local authorities. The crash, which involved three vehicles, occurred Wednesday morning, May 14, on the highway connecting Cuacnopalan and Oaxaca in central Mexico’s Puebla state.
Samuel Aguilar Pala, a Puebla government official, confirmed that 18 victims died at the scene of the accident, while three others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to nearby hospitals. Several other injured passengers are currently receiving medical treatment, though the exact number and condition of the survivors has not been specified.
According to La Jornada newspaper, the catastrophic chain of events began when a gas tanker truck attempted to overtake a van on the highway. While in the opposite lane, the truck collided with an oncoming bus before smashing head-on into a transport van. The impact sent the truck tumbling into a ravine alongside the highway, where it erupted in flames.
Footage circulating on social media platforms shows a large plume of dark smoke rising from the crash site and significant damage to the highway guardrail, with a lengthy section torn away completely. The video, shared by a local journalist but not independently verified, underscores the severity of the collision.
This tragedy adds to a concerning pattern of severe highway accidents in Mexico. Just three months ago, dozens of people lost their lives in another major bus crash in Tabasco, located in the southern region of the country.
The Cuacnopalan-Oaxaca highway, which cuts through mountainous terrain, has long been considered one of Mexico’s more challenging routes for drivers. The combination of winding roads, steep grades, and heavy commercial traffic creates hazardous conditions that can turn deadly when vehicles attempt risky maneuvers like the overtaking that appears to have triggered Wednesday’s accident.
The transport van was operated by Smart Transports, which has pledged to cover medical and funeral expenses. Typically, investigations into accidents of this magnitude examine multiple factors, including driver behavior, vehicle maintenance records, road conditions, and compliance with safety regulations.
The Mexican Federal Highway Administration has increased patrols along the route and implemented temporary speed restrictions while the investigation continues. Local emergency services have established a support center for the families of victims at a nearby community center in Tehuacán, Puebla.
This incident comes as Mexico’s transportation ministry has been working to upgrade safety standards on major highways throughout the country. In recent years, the government has invested in infrastructure improvements and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, though critics argue these efforts have been insufficient given the continuing occurrence of major accidents.
Road safety advocates point to several factors contributing to Mexico’s highway safety challenges, including aging vehicle fleets, inadequate driver training, and economic pressures that can lead commercial drivers to work excessive hours or take risks to meet tight schedules.
Local residents near the crash site reported hearing the collision and seeing the smoke from miles away.
Emergency services from multiple municipalities responded to the scene, with helicopters airlifting the most critically injured survivors to specialized trauma centers in Puebla City and Mexico City.
