Death toll in Mexico truck accident rises to 24

The truck was loaded with building materials when it apparently lost its brakes and ran into the Roman Catholic procession along a main street.

Local sources say between 16 and 20 people were killed, and between 30 and 36 injured.

Seven more people have been confirmed dead after a truck ploughed into a crowd of pilgrims in north-central Mexico, raising the death toll to 23.

The dump truck’s driver fled after the tragedy. The report added that there was no immediate information on the condition of those injured. Investigators were sent to the scene of the accident.

Hundreds of pilgrims were marching toward the 18th century San Gregorio Magno church when the dump truck, which was carrying tonnes of sand, slammed into cars and people. The truck was registered property of a company called Industrial Construction and Transportation.

A police auto and an ambulance had been escorting the pilgrims during the procession.

Numerous victims of Wednesday’s accident came from other towns.

“We have some testimonies about who the driver was”, Soto Acosta said.