Mexico Religious Procession Accident Claims 16 Lives After Truck Crash

A truck lost control and crashed into a religious procession in the Mazapil town in central Mexican state of Zacatecas on Wednesday, killing 16 people and injuring 30 others, the Associated Press (AP) reported, citing officials. The accident was reported by the Zacatecas' government in a statement.

The truck, which crashed into a group of local Catholics, was carrying heavy building materials, the AP reported, citing the statement. The report added that there was no immediate information on the condition of those injured. It was also not clear whether the truck’s driver was taken into custody.

Mexico reportedly sees several such processions, where participants walk on the roadsides to local shrines to celebrate special religious occasions. According to estimates by the CIA, over 80 percent of the country’s population is Roman Catholic.

Earlier this month, a truck carrying 41 migrants overturned in southern Mexico, killing two people. In June, nine of the 20 people on board a truck were killed after the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed it into a stream. In February, a collision between a bus and a freight train killed 16 people and left 22 injured at a crossing in northern Mexico, the Independent reported.