Fogo Island, Cape Verde.– Cape Verde is mourning after a passenger bus plunged approximately 30 meters (about 100 feet) into a steep ravine, leaving 25 people d3ad, most of them children, teenagers and young students. The devastating crash happened on Saturday, September 5, 2026, along the mountainous route between Chã das Caldeiras and Campanas de Cima on Fogo Island.
The passengers were returning from an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras, an area located within Fogo’s volcanic landscape. Education authorities clarified that the outing was not officially organized by the local schools. Reports indicate that it was an annual private trip arranged by the bus driver for students he transported during the school year. The driver was also among those who lost their l1ves.
Emergency crews faced extremely difficult conditions as they descended into the rocky area where the bus came to rest. Rescue operations continued through the night as responders worked to reach passengers trapped inside the wreckage.
Authorities initially reported varying numbers of injured passengers. Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho later said the bus was carrying 39 people, with 25 d3ad and 14 injured. More recent hospital information indicated that 12 patients remained under medical care, including two in serious condition.
Among the victims publicly identified so far are Djenifer de Pina, a 10th-grade student at Liceu Domingos Ramos, and Sonia Alves, 15, a native of Fogo Island. Sonia’s cousin, Carlleny Alves, said the excursion had been held annually.
However, authorities have not yet released a complete official list containing the names of all 25 people who d1ed. For that reason, additional names circulating on social media should not be presented as confirmed victims until they are verified by authorities or their families.
The scale of the catastrophe prompted Cape Verde’s government to officially declare two days of national mourning beginning September 6. Under Resolution No. 103/2026, national flags are being flown at half-mast at public buildings and Cape Verdean diplomatic missions, while public celebrations and performances are suspended during the mourning period.
Prime Minister Francisco Avelino Vieira de Carvalho traveled to Fogo and announced the deployment of additional medical personnel. A 16-member medical team, including doctors and nurses, was sent to reinforce healthcare services on the island.
President José Maria Pereira Neves also traveled to Fogo, describing what happened as a major catastrophe and expressing solidarity with the families. He said the circumstances surrounding the crash must be investigated to understand what happened and help prevent another disaster.
Fogo began saying goodbye to the victims on Sunday. Seven were buried early in the morning, while funeral ceremonies for the remaining 18 victims took place later that day. Families, residents and national leaders gathered as the island mourned the enormous loss.
Among those providing information about the emergency was José Canuto, head of civil protection in São Filipe. Dionisio Semedo, a doctor at Fogo’s regional hospital, also provided updates on the condition of survivors receiving treatment.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not officially concluded that mechanical failure, excessive speed, driver error or road conditions caused the bus to leave the roadway. Any such claims circulating online remain unconfirmed.
As Cape Verde observes national mourning, attention remains focused on the families of the 25 people who lost their l1ves, the recovery of the survivors and the investigation into one of the country’s most devastating road catastrophes in recent memory.
