MEXICO CITY, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 pilgrims died and 38 more were injured when their bus overturned in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, local authorities said on Monday.
Jalisco's director of civil protection, Trinidad Lopez, told Xinhua that the accident took place on Sunday night in the town of Atotonilco along state highway 307, between Arandas and Atotonilco.
She added that 12 people, including men, women and children, died at the site while three other died in hospital while receiving care.
Lopez said the dead were all pilgrims who were returning from a visit to the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos, a town located in the north of Jalisco.
According to preliminary reports, the pilgrims bus was struck by a heavy transport vehicle, which caused it to overturn.
Local press reports said a number of victims were pinned beneath the bus and are in a severe condition. Emergency teams from five towns, as well as the state civil protection corps, rushed to the site.
