Minibus-truck crash kills 23 in Parana, Brazil

At least 23 people, including two children, were killed and five others injured in the early hours of Wednesday when a minibus carrying medical patients collided head-on with a truck on a highway in southern Brazil's Parana state. The crash occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. on the BR373 highway near the city of Ipiranga, according to the Federal Highway Police.

The minibus, which belonged to the Health Department of the nearby municipality of Imbituva, was transporting patients from Brazil's public healthcare system, their companions, and a few healthcare workers. The group was traveling to medical centers in the region for appointments and procedures. The truck, which was not carrying a cargo, was traveling from the opposite direction.

Preliminary evidence from authorities indicates the truck crossed into the opposite lane before striking the minibus, which was in its proper lane. The impact destroyed the passenger vehicle. The driver of the truck was among those killed. The identities of the victims have not been publicly released.

Firefighters rescued five survivors, including a 9-year-old boy, three men, and a woman. They were transported to hospitals in the nearby city of...