A tragic bus accident occurred on August 16, 2026, at kilometer 91 of the BR-040 highway in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. The vehicle, operated by Estrela Guia Turismo, was traveling from Belo Horizonte to Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro when it overturned during the descent of the mountain range. According to the concessionaire Elovias, there were 56 individuals on board, including the driver and two assistants. The incident took place at approximately 4:30 a.m., prompting an extensive emergency response involving the Fire Department, the Federal Highway Police, and the SAMU services from Petrópolis and the Baixada Fluminense region.
Ten people were confirmed dead following the crash, including nine women—one of whom was pregnant—and a young girl. Emergency responders initially found eight victims deceased at the scene, while another individual succumbed to injuries while being transported to a hospital. The 105th Police Precinct of Petrópolis has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the rollover, and forensic experts were dispatched to the site to conduct a thorough examination.
Medical facilities received at least 23 survivors for urgent care. The Hospital Municipalizado Adão Pereira Nunes in Duque de Caxias reported receiving 14 patients, one of whom died, while the Hospital Santa Teresa in Petrópolis treated nine individuals. Survivors described the vehicle's operation as problematic, noting that many seatbelts were non-functional and alleging that the driver maintained high speeds despite passenger requests to slow down. One survivor recounted that the bus began to sway violently before eventually overturning and colliding with a tree.
Authorities have indicated that the bus was operating clandestinely, as identified by the National Land Transport Agency. The driver of the vehicle survived the crash but sustained fractures to both legs. He is expected to be interviewed by law enforcement officials as part of the ongoing inquiry.
In response to the incident, Estrela Guia Turismo issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims and their families. The company stated it is cooperating with authorities and providing support to those affected, including organizing transport for survivors to return to the Belo Horizonte region. The company's legal counsel noted that the owner is currently unable to provide a statement due to the nature of the crisis.
