Bus crash in Pernambuco leaves at least 15 dead, many injured

At least 15 people were killed and many others injured when a passenger bus overturned late Friday on a federal highway in the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, authorities said. The crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on BR-423 near the municipality of Saloá as the vehicle was traveling from the neighboring state of Bahia, police said.

Federal Highway Police officials said the bus, carrying about 30 passengers, veered into the opposite lane, struck rocks on the roadside, then returned to its lane before colliding with a sand embankment and overturning. The sequence of events is under investigation. The driver suffered minor injuries and underwent an alcohol test that returned normal results, police added. According to the driver, a mechanical problem with the brakes caused the loss of control, a statement attributed to him said; investigators are examining that claim.

Authorities have not released a final count of the injured, but multiple passengers were taken to nearby hospitals with serious wounds. Police said there are indications that some occupants were not wearing seat belts and that several people were ejected from the vehicle as it rolled, which likely...