Banana Truck Overturned and Looted in Quintana Roo

Xulhá-Bacalar, Quintana Roo — A truck transporting bananas to northern Quintana Roo overturned on the night of December 3 on Federal Highway 307, on the Xulhá-Bacalar stretch near the entrance to the Akalki hotel.

The accident, whose causes remain unknown, resulted in the total destruction of the vehicle and severe damage to public infrastructure.

The cargo truck, as it rolled, dragged down poles and wiring belonging to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), in addition to spilling its merchandise across the road.

Following the incident, the truck was immediately victimized by looting. Motorists and people passing through the area stopped to plunder the cargo, taking all of the bananas.

The truck driver, who suffered serious injuries, was urgently transported to a hospital in Bacalar to receive medical attention.

Elements of the National Guard (Roads Division) cordoned off the area for the removal of the wreckage and the start of investigations. Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution due to cleanup and wiring repair work.

Looting in Quintana Roo is punishable by up to 18 years in prison and fines of 37,000 pesos, according to changes to the State Penal Code approved just last March.

In the state, three general acts of looting have been identified and are now penalized by law: in maritime accidents, looting following hurricanes, and that which occurs in accidents like the overturning of the banana-laden truck.