Fogo in Mourning
FOGO • SEPTEMBER 2026
Fogo in Mourning
What We Know About the September 5 Bus Tragedy
A fact-based update for Cabo Verde and its diaspora
Twenty-five lives were lost in one of the darkest tragedies in Cabo Verde's recent history. As Fogo grieves, Avansa shares the confirmed facts, the latest information on survivors, and a message of solidarity to every family affected.
There are moments when words feel too small. The tragedy on the island of Fogo is one of them.
On the evening of Saturday, September 5, a passenger bus carrying mostly children, teenagers, and young people was returning from an outing to Chã das Caldeiras when it left the road along the route toward Campanas de Cima. The vehicle fell approximately 30 meters down a steep, rocky slope in an area that made rescue work especially difficult.
Authorities have confirmed that 25 people died and 14 were injured. Most of those who lost their lives were young. The driver also died. Local education authorities clarified that the outing was privately organized and was not an official school excursion.
Behind every number is a person: a child, a student, a relative, a friend, and a future imagined by a family. Entire communities are mourning together, and the grief reaches far beyond Fogo—to every island and across the Cabo Verdean diaspora.
The latest update on those injured
The most recent medical update, issued on September 8 by Health Minister and crisis-office spokesperson Lúcio Miranda, said the hospitalized patients were showing favorable progress.
Eleven patients remained on Fogo and were described as stable, communicative, and with normal vital signs. Two others were scheduled to be transferred to the Hospital Universitário Agostinho Neto in Praia: one for extended specialized monitoring and another for a planned surgical procedure. Officials also said support is being prepared for survivors after discharge, recognizing that many are children and teenagers returning to communities deeply affected by loss.
Psychologists are working with teachers and schools to prepare for students' return to class and to help adults recognize signs of trauma. One school reportedly lost 13 students, underscoring how deeply this tragedy has touched the educational community.
What is known—and what remains under investigation
The confirmed facts are that the bus left the roadway and fell about 30 meters on the Chã das Caldeiras–Campanas de Cima route. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined.
Estradas de Cabo Verde has sent a technical team to evaluate the road segment and other factors that may have contributed. The agency said preliminary findings are expected before September 20, with deeper analysis possible afterward.
Some early reports and social-media posts have offered possible explanations. Until investigators release their findings, those claims should not be treated as fact. At a time of profound grief, accuracy and respect matter. Sharing unverified explanations, disturbing images, or private information can create even more pain for survivors and families.
National mourning and support for families
The Government of Cabo Verde declared two days of national mourning beginning September 6. Flags were ordered to half-staff at public buildings and diplomatic missions, and public celebrations were canceled. The municipality of São Filipe also declared a period of mourning.
A crisis office was created to coordinate the response. The government mobilized a specialized medical team, arranged psychological and social support, and said it would cover funeral expenses and other needs of affected families. Officials also authorized assistance for immediate relatives traveling from Praia and said additional family requests would continue to be considered.
Emergency and psychosocial support was also mobilized by the Cruz Vermelha de Cabo Verde, working alongside local health services, police, firefighters, municipal teams, and community members.
Avansa stands with Fogo
To the parents who lost children, to the children who lost friends and relatives, to the survivors carrying physical and emotional wounds, and to every person who answered the call to help: we are thinking of you.
Avansa stands with the people of Fogo and with Cabo Verdeans everywhere during this time of mourning. We are available to help amplify verified requests from affected families and trusted organizations, connect members of the diaspora with legitimate relief efforts, and share confirmed information as it becomes available.
For those who wish to help, please support only initiatives confirmed by families, recognized community organizations, health authorities, the Red Cross, or municipal and national authorities. Respect the privacy of the victims and survivors. Do not share graphic images or unverified names. Sometimes helping begins by protecting a grieving family's dignity.
May the victims rest in peace. May the injured continue to recover. And may every family affected feel the love, strength, and solidarity of Cabo Verde and its diaspora surrounding them.
Update note: This article reflects information confirmed through September 8, 2026. Avansa will update it as authorities release verified medical or investigative findings.
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