At least 24 people, including four children, were killed when a truck plowed into pilgrims after its brakes failed in Mexico, authorities said today as the driver fled the scene of the tragedy.
More than 20 other people were injured following Wednesday afternoon's accident on the main road of Mazapil, a north-central town of 16,000 people in a mining region of the state of Zacatecas, officials said.
Hundreds of pilgrims were marching toward the 18th century San Gregorio Magno church when the dump truck, which was carrying tonnes of sand, slammed into cars and people.
The vehicle hit a building's facade and human hair was encrusted into the heavily damaged wall, where people left a wooden cross. The accident left pools of blood and shattered glass on the street.
Fourteen people died on the spot while the rest succumbed to their injuries at hospitals or on their way there, authorities said.
The dead children were aged one, three, four and five, Zacatecas chief prosecutor Leticia Catalina Soto Acosta told AFP.
"The vehicle traveled out of control for a few meters, mowing down a few cars," Soto Acosta said.
"The contingent (of pilgrims) was first injured by the first vehicles that the truck struck. Then the truck went off its axis, the weight pressed on one side and it flipped. This was the worst impact," she said.
Witnesses said the driver jumped out of the truck before its final impact, the prosecutor said.
"He has been identified and we are searching for him," she said.
The state prosecutor identified the company that owns the truck as Construcciones Industriales y Transportistas.
