Cape Verde Begins Two Days of Mourning After Bus Crash Kills 25

Cape Verde has begun two days of national mourning following a devastating bus crash on Fogo Island that killed 25 people, most of them children and teenagers.

Mourners gathered on Sunday to bury 18 of the victims, while seven others had already been laid to rest earlier in the day. Families, friends and residents across Fogo Island joined funeral processions as the coffins were taken to cemeteries.

The crash occurred late Saturday when a bus carrying 32 people veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine. The vehicle had been returning to São Filipe after a day out when the accident happened, leaving numerous passengers trapped inside the wreckage.

Emergency teams worked throughout the night to rescue survivors and recover victims from the damaged bus. The difficult rescue operation continued into the early hours as crews dealt with the dangerous terrain surrounding the crash site.

The driver was among those who died in the accident. He had reportedly organised the excursion each year as a gift for pupils he normally transported to school during the academic term, making the tragedy particularly painful for families and the local community.

Twelve people remained in hospital on Sunday, including two who were in serious condition. Medical teams continued treating those injured as authorities began investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.

President José Maria Neves attended funerals for some of the victims and expressed his support for the grieving families. He has also ordered an investigation into the accident to establish what caused the bus to leave the road.

The deaths have sent shockwaves across Cape Verde, with the large number of young victims making the tragedy especially devastating. Communities on Fogo Island gathered to mourn together as families said their final goodbyes.

The two-day mourning period reflects the scale of the loss and gives the country an opportunity to honour those who died. Flags and public events are expected to reflect the national mourning as the island continues to deal with the aftermath.

Authorities are now focused on supporting survivors and families while determining how the crash occurred. The investigation is expected to examine the condition of the bus, the road, driving circumstances and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.

For residents of Fogo Island, the tragedy has transformed what was intended to be a day of enjoyment into a period of grief, with entire communities coming together to accompany the victims to their final resting places.