Travel Routes and Initial Findings

It was traveling from the Northeast region of Brazil toward Rio Grande do Sul, following a route through Bahia and passing toward the city of Montes Claros.
Investigators confirmed that this route is commonly used by long-distance transport vehicles, including heavy trucks and passenger vans.
Due to the truck being unloaded at the time, its braking and road behavior characteristics may have differed from a fully loaded vehicle.
Rapid Response From Emergency and Rescue Teams
Immediately after the incident was reported, multiple emergency units were dispatched to the site.
Once crews arrived, they found a highly complex scenario:

Many passengers were trapped inside the wreckage, requiring the use of specialized extrication techniques known as “desencarceramento.”
Victims, Injuries, and Medical Response
There were 17 occupants inside the van at the time of the collision.
Unfortunately, nine people lost their lives on the scene, including eight adults and one child.
At least eight other van passengers sustained injuries of varying severity. Among the injured were:
A 27-year-old man in critical condition, requiring assisted ventilation.
A 36-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, both in stable condition.
Other victims were transported to hospitals in the nearby municipality of Francisco Sá, where they remained under observation.
As of the initial days following the incident, medical authorities had not released further updates regarding the long-term recovery of the injured.

Inside the heavy-haul truck, there were only two occupants — the driver and a passenger.
Both suffered minor injuries and were evaluated and released at the scene after receiving medical assistance.
Road Closure and Post-Accident Procedures
Because of the severity of the crash and the need for extrication, the PRF closed BR-251 in both directions.
The blockage lasted for approximately six hours, continuing until around 3:40 AM on Wednesday, May 14, when the vehicles were removed and the area was cleared for safe passage.
Forensic specialists collected tire marks, debris distribution, impact angles, and road conditions as part of their preliminary investigation.
These elements will contribute to determining whether human error, mechanical failure, road conditions, or weather played a decisive role.