19 Killed, 22 Hurt in Plunge of Ensenada Bus

A city bus plunged over the side of a 60-foot cliff, leaving 19 people dead and 22 injured, authorities said Tuesday.

The driver, Enrique Hernandez de Jesus, was among those killed in the accident Monday, which occurred on the outskirts of this Baja California town as the bus traveled a winding and steep stretch of road.

Hernandez and 13 passengers died at the scene. Five more passengers died at hospitals on Monday and Tuesday, Ensenada Fire Department spokesman Jose Luis Chavez said.

Of the 22 injured being treated at local hospitals, several were said to be in critical condition, said Miroslava Cuellar, a spokeswoman for the city of Ensenada.

The bus, owned by Transportes Rojo y Blanco (Red and White bus line), had not had a mechanical inspection in five years and had no insurance as required by state law, Cuellar said.

‘Clear There Is Corruption’

“It is well-known that there is corruption between the transport companies and state transit officials,” she said. “Considering that these vehicles are allowed to operate without inspections and without insurance and that drivers are paid not a salary but by the number of passengers they can cram into their buses, it is clear there is corruption.”

Chavez said he hoped that the tragedy would bring an investigation of bus transit practices in Ensenada.