Deadly Crash on Mérida-Campeche Highway Kills 15

Kopomá, Yucatán — A traffic accident involving a cargo truck, a private vehicle, and a collective taxi resulted in 15 fatalities on kilometer 127 of the federal Mérida–Campeche highway, on the Chocholá-Kopomá stretch. The incident was confirmed by the Secretary of Public Security (SSP).

The deceased include the driver of the tractor-trailer, who remained aboard the unit, and one more person who was burned beyond recognition inside the collective taxi. Two injured individuals were treated at the site by paramedics from the corporation.

The Collision

According to a preliminary report from the Secretary of Public Security (SSP), the van was transporting approximately 20 construction workers when it collided with a trailer owned by a beer company. The impact resulted in the immediate death of 15 of the 20 construction workers in the public transport unit.

It appears the van carrying the construction workers was overtaking a private car—which sustained only material damage—when the trailer struck it head-on. The bodies were scattered across the pavement. Police authorities closed the highway to vehicular traffic in both lanes.

Given the severity of the accident, dozens of witnesses alerted emergency services and provided support until the arrival of emergency crews and paramedics. Elements of the National Guard and the Yucatán Secretary of Public Security (SSP) cordoned off the area for accident investigation procedures.

The Public Prosecutor's Office collected the bodies and transported them to the Forensic Medical Service to await identification. The State Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation file to determine liability, though authorities had not yet confirmed the identity of the victims at the time of the report.

"The corporation urges citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling on federal highways, respect speed limits, and adhere to traffic safety regulations to prevent accidents," the agency stated in a communiqué issued via social media.