Bus Accident in Mexico Kills 17 Adventists and Injures 31
May 23, 2017: A bus carrying mostly young Adventists in Mexico crashed into a ravine on May 21, killing 17 passengers and injuring a further 31.
Mexico News Daily reports that the bus veered off the road and fell into a 100 meter (approx. 328 ft) ravine.
The accident took place in the state of Chiapas in the south of the country as the group was returning from a spiritual retreat.
The driver lost control of the bus on the Motozintla-Huixtla highway near the community of Plan Grande. A mechanical fault is the suspected cause of the accident.
The stretch of highway on which the accident occured was known for having dangerous curves and a lot of speed bumps.
Dozens of volunteer rescue workers joined civil protection crew from the city of Motozintla to respond to the disaster
Mexico News Daily reported that their efforts to rescue survivors were limited by a lack of medical supplies and limited facilities at a health clinic in Motozintla.
News of the accident spread quickly online, even prompting Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to tweet his condolences.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Ignacio Navarro, president of the church in Chiapas, Mexico, according to a report on the accident by Adventist News Network.
“Our hearts are heavy and broken with sadness right now.”
Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America said, “Words are not enough to express our deepest sadness during this time. These young people had a full life ahead of them, coming from a spiritual retreat together, but the Lord knows best and will continue to bless everyone who is mourning at this time.”