At least 16 peopel have died in‍ a collision between ‌two buses on the federal highway connecting Mérida and‌ Campeche in Mexico. The‍ accident took place on ⁢September 14,⁤ 2025, at approximately 10:30 ‍PM local ‍time, near the ⁤town of Kopomá, ‍within the ​Chocholá-Kopomá section at kilometer 127.

Details of the Accident

Campeche Governor layda Sansores ⁣confirmed the updated‌ death toll of 16 on September 15, 2025. Initial reports indicated a lower number of fatalities, but the count ⁢was revised following a ⁢thorough assessment of the wreckage. The buses involved were reportedly a passenger bus operated by the ADO group and a smaller, privately-owned bus. ​The cause⁤ of the ‌collision is currently under inquiry, but preliminary ⁢reports suggest that one of the buses may have veered into the opposite‍ lane.

The impact was severe, resulting in ‍meaningful damage to both vehicles. ​Rescue workers and emergency personnel from ​campeche and ⁢Mérida were​ dispatched to the scene to extract victims and provide medical ​assistance. The highway was temporarily⁤ closed⁤ to traffic to‌ facilitate rescue operations and the ⁤subsequent investigation.

Victim Identification⁣ and Support

Authorities are working to identify the victims and notify their families. The process is elaborate⁤ by the severity of the injuries sustained by some passengers. ‌ Both the Campeche and Yucatán state ⁢governments have pledged ⁣to ⁣provide support to the ‍families of ⁤the deceased ⁢and⁤ injured, including financial assistance for funeral⁢ expenses and medical care. A‍ temporary shelter has been set up in Kopomá to provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy.

The ADO group has released a statement expressing their condolences to the⁤ families‍ of the victims‌ and promising full cooperation ‌with the investigation. They have‍ also established a hotline⁢ for family members seeking information about ⁣their loved ones. ADO Official Website

Highway Safety Concerns

This accident ⁢has ‌reignited concerns about the safety of the Mérida-campeche highway. Local residents⁢ and transportation advocacy groups have⁤ long called for improvements to the road‍ infrastructure,​ including ‍better lighting, clearer signage,⁤ and ⁤increased enforcement of traffic regulations. The Chocholá-Kopomá section, in particular, is known for its winding ⁢roads and limited visibility, especially​ at night.

According to data​ from‍ the ⁢National‌ Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), INEGI ⁢Transportation Statistics, the Mérida-Campeche highway has seen ​a steady increase‍ in traffic volume in recent years, putting additional strain on the⁢ existing​ infrastructure. There have been several other ⁣accidents reported on this stretch of road in the past, raising questions about the adequacy of current safety⁣ measures.