Nuevo Leon, Mar 24 (V7N)- A tragic road accident in the mountainous Santiago area of Nuevo Leon state, northern Mexico, claimed the lives of 12 people and left four others injured on Sunday, March 23. The accident also sparked a forest fire, which was later brought under control.

According to reports from AFP, the accident occurred when a pickup truck carrying 16 passengers plunged 400 feet off a mountain road into a ravine. The impact killed 11 people on the spot, while five others were injured.

Nuevo Leon’s District Civil Protection Director, Eric Cavazos, confirmed that the injured were rushed to a hospital, where one minor succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to 12.

Santiago’s municipal president, David de la Pena, stated that a mechanical failure was likely the cause of the deadly accident.

Adding to the tragedy, the Civil Protection Department reported that the vehicle’s fall ignited a forest fire, which emergency responders successfully brought under control.

END/MSS/AJ