Car collides head-on with tour bus, killing 5 in southeast Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and three others injured when a car collided head-on with a tour bus in southeast Brazil's Minas Gerais state, the state's Military Police said Tuesday.

The accident occurred on Monday night in the municipality of Janauba after the car reportedly crossed into the opposite lane and, despite braking, was unable to avoid a collision with the bus.

Four of the fatal victims belonged to the same family, including a grandmother, her daughter and two grandchildren, who were returning from a trip to Belo Horizonte, the state capital. The driver of the car, a family friend, also died.

The bus was transporting 32 people returning from a pilgrimage to the city of Bom Jesus da Lapa in the northeastern state of Bahia.

Three of the bus passengers were injured, including two 71-year-old women -- one with a head injury and another with a right knee injury -- and the 25-year-old driver, who appeared to sustain a hand fracture.

Minas Gerais police have launched an investigation to determine the exact causes of the accident. ■