At least 23 people, including two children, were killed after a minibus carrying patients and their relatives collided head-on with a truck in Brazil’s southern state of Paraná, authorities said. Five other people were injured in the crash.

The accident occurred in the early hours on the BR-373 highway in Paraná state.

According to local media reports, the minibus belonged to health authorities in the nearby city of Imbituva and was transporting patients and their family members to medical appointments in Ponta Grossa, located about 60 kilometers away.

Brazil’s Federal Highway Police said the minibus and the truck collided head-on, killing at least 23 people. The victims included two children and the driver of the truck. Five injured people were taken to hospitals for medical treatment.

Investigation launched into cause of crash

Authorities launched an investigation to determine what caused the two vehicles to collide.

Officials are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, including road conditions and the movements of both vehicles before the collision.

Following the accident, Paraná Governor Ratinho Junior declared three days of official mourning across the state and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.(ILKHA)