In Venezuela, an accident involving 17 vehicles has claimed the lives of at least 16 people, leaving six others seriously injured. This happened on the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho highway, a link connecting the capital, Caracas, to the eastern regions of the country.
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The chain of events leading to this accident began with a minor collision involving a lorry and three cars on the Caracas-Guarenas carriageway.
The initial crash took place at 07:00, followed by a more incident at 07:15 when a speeding truck ploughed into the site, causing a massive fire.
The involved at least 17 vehicles, with images and videos circulating on social media capturing the the flames and the chaos.
Carlos Pérez Ampueda, the deputy minister of risk management, provided insights into the incident. He explained that the first accident occurred in an area where old asphalt was being replaced.
The poor meteorological conditions, including reduced visibility, might have contributed to the driver of the speeding truck being unable to perceive the crash site from the previous accident.
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Local voices on social media concerns about neglected road maintenance and the involvement of poorly serviced heavy goods vehicles in recent accidents.
The economic crisis in Venezuela has strained infrastructure development and maintenance, leading to questions about the government’s ability to the safety of its citizens on the road.
The pile-up left a bus completely burnt, Firefighters and emergency services from Caracas were dispatched to control the flames and attend to the injured.
The deputy minister of risk management reported that a total of 17 vehicles were involved in the incident. A woman shared the news of losing her parents, two brothers, and a sister-in-law in the accident.
Such personal stories underline the human toll of this event and the lasting impact on the affected families.
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As news spread, questions arose about the delay in emergency services arrival due to ongoing asphalt replacement work on the highway.
The coordination and response time of authorities during such situations have become a point of discussion.
The fire chief, Juan Gonzalez, reported eight fatalities, but as the day progressed, the death toll increased. Some social media users shared images and videos of the accident scene, capturing the fire and the challenges faced by firefighters in bringing it under control.
As the investigation into the accident unfolds, authorities must conduct a thorough analysis of contributing factors, including the condition of the road, weather conditions, and the maintenance of heavy goods vehicles.
The findings should guide future policy decisions aimed at preventing similar incidents and improving road safety.
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