A bus carrying rural workers from Maranhão that overturned in São Paulo was operating without the necessary authorization for interstate travel, according to the Federal Highway Police.
A tragic accident on BR-153 involving a bus filled with rural workers from Maranhão has resulted in six fatalities and 45 injuries. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) has revealed that the bus did not possess the necessary permits from the National Agency of Land Transportation (ANTT) for interstate transportation, meaning it was only authorized to operate within Maranhão. This revelation raises questions about the legality of the trip taken by the workers, who were traveling from Centro Novo do Maranhão to São Paulo.
The accident occurred when one of the bus's tires burst, causing the vehicle to overturn. Emergency responses included assistance from the Mobile Emergency Service (Samu), local police, and the Fire Department, with 45 individuals injured in total. However, the specifics regarding whether the bus had any partial permissions or was fully noncompliant remain unclear, as the ANTT has yet to provide further details on its authorization status.
This incident not only highlights significant safety concerns regarding transportation regulations within Brazil but also raises issues regarding the rights and protections given to rural workers who travel for employment. The implications of operating an unauthorized bus service can lead to stricter regulations and enforcement actions from transportation authorities as they aim to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
