Tragic bus accident in Mississippi: Seven Mexicans among the dead

Seven Mexican citizens were killed in a devastating bus crash in Mississippi over the weekend, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said Tuesday, releasing their names and ages.

The victims include Miguel Arriaga, 61; Victor A. Garcia, 32; Moises A. Garcia, 31; siblings Cain Gutierrez, 8, and Perla Gutierrez, 16; Elia Guzman, 63; and Angelica Palomino, 16. Their hometowns were not disclosed.

The fatal crash, which injured about 36 other people, is still being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, the State Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division. Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena expressed her condolences to the affected families and offered consular assistance.

Initial reports indicate that a tire failure caused the 2018 Volvo bus, operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos, to run off Interstate 20 and roll over in Bovina, near Vicksburg. The NTSB plans to investigate the condition of the vehicle, road conditions, the driver's experience and the transportation company's safety record. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a thorough investigation could take up to two years.

(With contributions from agencies.)