A bus carrying indigenous Mayan Tzotzil and Tzeltal jornaleros overturned on the San Cristóbal de las Casas highway in Chiapas, resulting in two deaths and 22 injuries. The incident happened at 1:00 p.m. as the vehicle headed to Sonora for agricultural work. Brake failures and a rear tire burst led to the loss of control.
The road accident occurred at kilometer 27 of the San Cristóbal de las Casas-Tuxtla Gutiérrez highway, just 30 minutes after the workers began their journey. Preliminary reports from Chiapas state Civil Protection indicate the overturn was caused by mechanical issues in the braking system, worsened by a rear tire explosion that caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, leaving it blocking the road.
Rescue teams from the municipalities of San Cristóbal and Tuxtla Gutiérrez arrived promptly to assist the victims. Among the 22 injured, at least eight are in serious condition with delicate wounds and fractures needing specialized care. The hospitalized individuals include Artemio Ruiz Hernández, 35; Aucencio Gómez Gómez, 22; Domingo Pérez Girón, 41; José Pérez Velasco, 46; Elmar Domínguez Sánchez, 22; Marcos García Girón, 44; Carlos Díaz Cruz, 27; and Nicolás Juárez Gómez, 37.
The highway was closed for about four hours to manage the emergency, with the National Guard securing the scene. Specialized personnel began investigations to determine the precise causes and hold parties accountable. This event underscores the dangers faced by indigenous jornaleros during their work-related travels.