Tragic Collision Claims Lives of 12 University Students in São Paulo

A devastating collision between a bus carrying university students and a truck late Thursday night has resulted in the deaths of 12 students and injuries to 21 others in São Paulo’s southeastern region. The accident occurred near Nuporanga, approximately 370 kilometers from the state’s capital.

The bus was transporting students from the University of Franca (Unifran) back home when the incident took place. Local television broadcasts depicted the bus’s left side completely destroyed due to the impact.

The truck driver, who sustained injuries, attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended and hospitalized. He now faces charges including involuntary homicide and bodily harm.

In response to the tragedy, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas declared three days of official mourning in the state. “It is with great sadness and sorrow that we receive the news that our students had their dreams cut short in a tragic accident,” the university stated.

This incident adds to a series of fatal road accidents in Brazil. In December 2024, a bus-truck collision in Minas Gerais state claimed 38 lives. Earlier, in September, a bus carrying the Coritiba Crocodiles football team overturned, resulting in three fatalities. According to the Ministry of Transportation, over 10,000 people died … across the country in 2024.