Cape Verde Accident, 25 Student Killed,Many Teenagers After Vehicle Plunges Into Fogo Ravine
A devastating bus crash on Cape Verde’s Fogo Island has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, many of them schoolchildren and teenagers, leaving families and communities mourning one of the country’s worst recent road tragedies.
The accident happened late Saturday, September 5, 2026, on the mountainous Campanas de Cima route in northern Fogo. Reports say the passenger bus veered off the road before plunging approximately 30 metres into a steep ravine. The difficult terrain created major challenges for emergency crews attempting to reach the wreckage and assist those trapped or injured.
According to reports from local officials and news agencies, 32 people were aboard the bus. At least 25 died, while several others survived with injuries, some described as serious. The victims reportedly included numerous children and teenagers, making the tragedy particularly devastating for families preparing for the new school year.
The journey had reportedly followed an excursion to the Pico do Fogo volcanic crater and was returning toward São Filipe when the crash occurred. Reports indicate that the trip was privately organized by the driver and was not an officially organized school excursion, despite many of the passengers being school-age children.
Rescue teams faced a difficult operation because of the steep and rocky landscape. Injured survivors were taken to São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital in São Filipe, where medical personnel treated those requiring urgent care. Some survivors were reportedly in serious condition, raising concerns that the human toll could change as authorities continue assessing the situation.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Initial reports have described the bus leaving the mountain road, but authorities have not yet established a definitive explanation for why the vehicle lost control. Investigators are expected to examine the road conditions, vehicle condition, circumstances surrounding the journey and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Cape Verde. President José Maria Pereira Neves described the incident as a major catastrophe and expressed condolences to the families affected. Authorities have also announced a period of national mourning following the deaths.
For families who lost children and teenagers, the tragedy represents an unimaginable loss. Young people who should have been preparing for school, spending time with friends and looking toward their futures are instead being mourned by relatives and communities.
As rescue, identification and investigation efforts continue, people across Fogo and the wider Cape Verdean community are coming together to support the victims’ families. The crash has also renewed attention on road safety in mountainous areas, where steep terrain can make transportation particularly challenging.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation develops. For now, the priority remains caring for survivors, supporting grieving families and determining exactly what caused the bus to leave the road.
The thoughts of the community remain with everyone affected by the Fogo Island tragedy, particularly the families who have lost loved ones in such heartbreaking circumstances.
