A devastating bus accident occurred in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil, when a vehicle transporting rural workers from the Maranhão region to Santa Catarina overturned on BR-153. There were 51 people on board, many of whom were heading to work in the apple harvest, covering a distance of approximately 3,500 kilometers. The tragedy resulted in the death of eight individuals, including the bus driver, who reportedly lost control of the vehicle after one of the tires exploded.

Survivors shared harrowing experiences of the crash. One worker, Wagner da Silva Carvalho, recounted waking up to the sound of a blown tire before losing consciousness. Another survivor, José da Silva Reis, escaped unscathed but tragically lost his father among the victims of the incident. The police investigation has indicated that tire failure was a significant factor in causing the accident, highlighting concerns over vehicle maintenance and road safety for long-distance transport.

The implications of this incident are profound, affecting the families of the deceased and raising awareness around the safety conditions faced by rural workers who often travel long distances for labor. This tragedy not only underscores the risks associated with such journeys but also calls into question the regulations governing passenger transport in Brazil, particularly for vulnerable populations engaged in labor-intensive agriculture such as apple harvesting in the south.