16 Dead in Mérida-Campeche Highway Collision

Mérida, Yucatán — The number of fatalities from an accident that occurred last Saturday on the Mérida-Campeche highway has increased to 16, including five women, according to a report from the Yucatán State Attorney General's Office (FGE). Fifteen of the victims have been identified, and only two individuals were reported injured.

Initial reports from Saturday had indicated all the deceased were construction workers; however, authorities have since clarified that not all victims were laborers and have confirmed the presence of female passengers. The women were passengers returning to their place of origin. The sixteenth fatality was the driver of a tractor-trailer involved in the collision.

The two injured individuals were traveling in the private Ikon vehicle also involved in the incident.

Victims Identified

The deceased, from Calkiní and other communities in Campeche such as Hecelchakán, Bécal, Tinún, Nunkiní, and Santa Cruz, have been identified as:

• Russel de Jesús Estrada Osalde, driver of the public transport van (Calkiní)
• Idelfonso Juárez (Santa Cruz)
• José Adonay Naal Quiñónez (Santa Cruz)
• Deysi Sarahí Caamal Puc (Calkiní)
• María Deysi Noemí Puc Canul (Calkiní)
• Gonzalo Aragón Uc (Calkiní)
• Rigoberto Uicab Cruz (Bécal)
• Gretel Kataleya López Simá (Hecelchakán)
• Mayra Elena Simá Ayil (Hecelchakán) — reported to be mother and daughter
• Fray Martín Uc (Tinún)
• María Alejandra Hass Ek (Nunkiní)
• Luis Marcial Ac Huchim, laborer
• José Idelfonso Juárez Tzec, laborer
• Gilberto Naal, laborer
• Gonzalo Aragón Uc, laborer

The bodies of Russel de Jesús Estrada Osalde, José Adonay Naal Quiñónez, Grettel Kataleya López Simá, Mayra Elena Simá Ayil, and María Alejandra Haas Ek have been returned to their families. The name of the sixteenth victim, the driver of the tractor-trailer owned by a beer company, has not been provided by authorities.

Preliminary Account of the Accident

According to the preliminary report from Yucatán authorities, the accident involved a tractor-trailer from a beer company, a public transport van, and a private car. The crash occurred on Saturday afternoon at kilometer 127 on the federal highway Mérida-Campeche, on the Kopomá-Chocholá stretch.

The report states that the van was traveling toward Campeche when it rear-ended the private Ikon vehicle. The driver of the passenger van then lost control, crossed into the oncoming lane, and was struck head-on by the tractor-trailer, which was traveling in the direction of Mérida. The impact was fatal. One or two people are reported to have died, either burned or crushed inside the van.

Government Response

On Sunday morning, Yucatán Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena visited the Forensic Medical Service of the State Attorney General's Office (Semefo), where he personally attended to relatives of the deceased.

He expressed the solidarity of the people of Yucatán for the tragedy and guaranteed the necessary support and facilities for the identification and transport of the victims back to their communities.

During his visit to the Semefo, the governor connected via telephone speaker with the Governor of Campeche, Layda Sansores San Román, who conveyed her condolences and offered the full support of her government to the grieving families.

The Secretary General of Government of Yucatán, Omar Pérez Avilés, along with his counterpart from Campeche, Liz Hernández Romero, and the Attorney General of Yucatán, Juan Manuel León, will coordinate with the families to complete necessary procedures and ensure they receive institutional support throughout the process.

Authorities from the municipality of Calkiní, Campeche, have joined this joint effort by facilitating transportation and logistical support for the victims' families. State and municipal authorities reiterated that they will maintain a direct channel of communication with the families to guarantee permanent support.