Bus crash kills 21 people in central Mexico

Bus crash kills 21 people in central Mexico

2010-10-18 22:12:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- A total of 21 people were killed on early Monday morning after a passenger bus was involved in a crash in central Mexico, officials said.

The accident happened around 1.30 a.m. local time in the northern region of Santiago de Querétaro, the capital of Querétaro state in central Mexico, according to the state's Department of Citizen's Safety.

Officials said the bus caught fire after it crashed into a truck on a local road, preventing passengers from escaping. At least 21 bodies were recovered from the scene.

According to reports, police believe the bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed at a high speed into the rear end of the truck, which was carrying an unconfirmed chemical substance.

The passenger bus which was involved in the accident was owned by Omnibus de Mexico and was on its way from Mexico City to the city of Zacatecas in the state with the same name.

Rescue workers remained at the scene until 5 a.m. local time, recovering at least 21 bodies. It is believed the bus was carrying 18 passengers and two bus operators. The truck was only carrying the driver.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-10-18