Bus carrying pilgrims crashes in central Mexico; 19 killed, 32 injured

A major accident happened in Central Mexico on Friday. As per information, 19 people died, while 32 people were injured when a speeding bus hit a house. The bus lost control due to brake failure and immediately caught fire, trapping the travellers inside.

According to a senior official in Central Mexico, all the people were residents of the western state of Michoacan, who were going to the Catholic Church.

The administration has expressed grief over the accident. Some pictures of the incident have also got to the fore, in which the condition of the bus can be seen.

The accident was so tragic that the bus blew up and people could not get out. Hearing the cries of the injured, people reached there, and the rescue operations were started.

According to local media reports, the accident happened due to the brake failure of the bus. However, the administration has not said anything about this yet. The bus was on its way from western Michoacan to Chalma.

Assistant State Interior Secretary Ricardo de la Cruz said Roman Catholic pilgrims have visited the city of Chalma. Chalma was a sacred site in pre-Hispanic times before the conquest of 1521.

It is said that after the arrival of the Spaniards, a cross miraculously appeared in a cave here. After this, it became a religious place. Six of the injured have received severe injuries and wounds. The accident was so intense that the sound of the explosion was heard far away.

The livelihood of the small population of Chalma is utterly dependent on pilgrim tourism. It is the second most important pilgrimage site in Mexico. The pilgrimages to this Christian sanctuary follow several patterns of prehistoric rituals. These include walking the city's narrow streets, bathing in the waters of special freshwater spring, and dancing in the sanctuary.