Cape Verde Bus Crash: 25 Dead, Mostly Students

At least 25 people, most of them schoolchildren and teenagers, were killed in a Cape Verde bus crash on Fogo island late Saturday, 5 September 2026. The vehicle was carrying 32 passengers when it veered off a mountain road and plunged roughly 30 metres into a steep ravine near Chã das Caldeiras, according to the national news agency Inforpress and public radio RCV.

What Happened in the Cape Verde Bus Crash?

The bus was returning to the island capital São Filipe after an excursion to Chã das Caldeiras, a village inside the crater of the active Pico do Fogo volcano. Around 21:00 local time, between Chã das Caldeiras and Campanas de Cima, the vehicle left the road and fell into a hard-to-reach rocky valley. The Fogo island geography and volcano made rescue operations extremely difficult, with emergency crews working through the night to reach victims trapped in the wreckage.

Key Facts About the Fogo Island Bus Tragedy

• Location: Fogo island, Cape Verde, near Chã das Caldeiras
• Time: Around 21:00 local time, Saturday 5 September 2026
• Deaths: At least 25, mostly children and teenagers
• Injured: At least 12 hospitalised, several serious
• Passengers on board: 32
• Drop: About 30 metres into a ravine
• Cause: Under investigation

How Did Rescuers Reach the Crash Site?

Rescue teams from São Filipe and nearby municipalities descended into the ravine using ropes and stretchers. The bus came to rest in a narrow, rocky stream bed, complicating access for heavy equipment. Civil protection head José Canuto said emergency personnel worked through the night to reach victims trapped in the wreckage. Because the crash site is remote and steep, some bodies were not recovered until early Sunday morning. The difficult terrain meant that every injured passenger had to be carried out by hand.

Victims and Rescue Efforts on Fogo Island

At least 12 injured passengers were taken to São Francisco de Assis Regional Hospital on Fogo, several in serious condition. The dead include the bus driver, who had organised the annual trip privately as a gift for the pupils he drove to school. Local education officials stressed that the outing was not organised by the schools. Because of the scale of the disaster, all hospital staff on Fogo were called in, and the death toll may still rise.

Why Did the Bus Crash? Investigation and Response

The exact cause of the Cape Verde bus crash remains under investigation. The bus was on a steep, winding mountain road in the northeast of Fogo when it veered off course. The driver is among the dead, which may complicate the inquiry. The road safety in Cape Verde record has been generally good, and such crashes are rare in the archipelago. However, the mountainous terrain and a 30-metre drop into a stream made survival chances extremely low.

Impact and Mourning in Cape Verde

Cape Verde's president expressed condolences on social media, calling the crash 'a great catastrophe'. The government declared two days of national mourning. On Sunday, a Mass was held on Fogo where 18 coffins were displayed, and seven victims were buried early in the day. The tragedy has devastated communities in Curral Grande and Ponta Verde, the northeastern towns from which many students came. It also raises questions about the safety of private school transport trips in rural Cape Verde.

FAQ: Cape Verde Bus Crash

How many people died in the Cape Verde bus crash?

At least 25 people died, most of them children and teenagers. The death toll may still rise.

Where did the bus crash happen?

The crash occurred on Fogo island, between Chã das Caldeiras and Campanas de Cima, about 30 metres into a ravine.

What caused the bus to crash?

The cause is under investigation. The bus veered off a mountain road while returning from an excursion to a volcanic crater village.

Was the trip organised by the school?

No, officials said the annual trip was privately organised by the bus driver as a gift for students he drove to school.

How many people were on the bus?

The bus was carrying 32 passengers. At least 12 were injured and hospitalised.