Overview
- The collision happened in the early hours of Wednesday, Aug. 19, when an empty freight truck crossed the centerline and struck a minibus owned by Imbituva’s health department on BR-373 near Ipiranga.
- Local authorities confirmed 23 people died, including the drivers and two children, and five survivors were taken to hospitals in Ponta Grossa with three reported in serious condition.
- Emergency teams and the road operator closed the highway for extended forensic work while firefighters and police recovered victims and moved bodies to Ponta Grossa for post-mortem processing.
- Federal Highway Police and the Paraná Scientific Police have opened a formal investigation, activated DVI identification procedures and are examining mechanical parts, medical records and driving factors to find the cause.
- The minibus was carrying patients, health workers and companions traveling for appointments, highlighting risks to rural medical-transport services and prompting local officials to offer family support and declare three days of mourning.