A head-on crash between a van and truck killed nine people Tuesday night in northern Minas Gerais state in Brazil.

The collision occurred on a highway as the van transported workers returning to Ceará state. Twelve additional people sustained injuries in the impact, prompting a major emergency response involving rescue teams, forensic investigators and highway authorities.

What Caused the Crash

Investigators determined the truck crossed into the opposing lane before striking the van head-on. Physical evidence at the scene – including tire marks, skid marks and road surface damage – helped experts reconstruct the sequence of events.

The findings indicated the truck driver’s lane departure directly caused the collision, according to investigation officials.

Emergency Response

Rescue personnel arrived at the scene and transported injured survivors to regional medical facilities. The crash prompted a coordinated response from multiple agencies investigating the circumstances of the accident.

The incident drew national attention due to the severity of casualties and the number of people affected by the single collision.

Ongoing Investigation

Highway authorities continued examining evidence at the crash site to determine additional factors that may have contributed to the truck’s lane deviation. Officials have not released information regarding potential citations or charges related to the accident.