BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (BNO NEWS) — Two police buses and a cargo truck were involved in a serious road accident in southern Argentina on Tuesday morning, killing twelve people and injuring nearly 50 others, local authorities said on Wednesday.
The accident occurred at around 6:45 a.m. local time when a cargo truck carrying cereals crashed into one of the buses, after which the bus was read-ended by a second bus. It happened on the No. 3 National Highway in the southern province of Chubut, located in the Patagonian region.
The police buses were returning from the Cerro Dragon oilfield in Comodoro Rivadavia where the officers had helped to subdue a strike of more than 400 workers, with reports of vandalism. The scene of the crash is approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Arroyo Verde and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Puerto Madryn between the provinces of Chubut and Rio Negro.
Police said a total of twelve people were killed, including nine police officers and the drivers of the buses and cargo truck. 48 people were injured in the crash, including some who were seriously injured, but fourteen others survived unharmed. One of the buses was mangled almost beyond recognition.
Argentina President Cristina Kirchner announced a national period of mourning following the accident. Chubut Governor Martin Buzzi and Security Minister Nilda Garre both also expressed sorrow and offered their condolences to the families of the victims.
