On a morning on the Sánchez highway near the Quita Sueño area in Bajos de Haina, a tragic collision left at least ten people dead and fifteen injured, according to Juan Salas, the director of the Dominican Civil Defense. The update came through EFE, and Salas indicated that a body was recovered from the rubble hours after officials had raised the toll to nine following the transfer of victims to nearby health facilities. The incident has shaken a community about twenty kilometers from Santo Domingo as authorities appeal for calm while they coordinate emergency response efforts.
The crash involved a head-on impact between a passenger bus and a truck, triggering a collapse of the truck onto the bus. The exact sequence remains under investigation, but early accounts describe a violent impact that trapped several passengers inside the bus. Emergency crews are working to clear wreckage, secure the scene, and provide urgent medical aid to those seriously injured. The road remains closed in the vicinity as investigators and rescue teams assess the situation and determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
Officials from the 911 emergency system told EFE that the figures are preliminary and could change as more information becomes available. It was reported that there were around 30 people aboard the damaged bus, a number that underscores the scale of the emergency response required. Rescue teams, Civil Defense units, local fire brigades, police, and the General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation Safety have all been mobilized to manage the incident site, assist survivors, and support families affected by the catastrophe. The operation continues to prioritize rapid triage, stabilization of the injured, and safe removal of those who remain trapped.
As the region grapples with the aftermath, authorities stress the importance of coordinated action and clear communication. Emergency services are coordinating with medical facilities to ensure that those most gravely injured receive timely care, while road authorities work to restore safe passage as soon as feasible. Community leaders and regional officials have urged calm and patience from residents as the response unfolds, and they have praised the dedication of first responders who are working through strenuous conditions to save lives and provide comfort to affected families. Ongoing updates will reflect the evolving situation and the official findings from the investigative teams, including potential contributing factors and safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. In the meantime, the event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of highway travel and the critical importance of rapid, well-coordinated emergency response efforts in the Dominican Republic.