Head-on collision between bus and lorry in Brazil kills more than 20

At least 23 people, among them two children, have been killed and another five injured in a head-on collision between a minibus and a lorry in southern Brazil, highway police say.

The crash happened early on Wednesday local time on the BR-373 highway in the southern state of Paraná.

Local media reported that the minibus belonged to the health authorities of the nearby city of Imbituva and was transporting patients and their relatives to health appointments in Ponta Grossa, some 60km (36 miles) away.

Authorities have opened an investigation to determine what may have caused the two vehicles to crash into each other.

The highway was closed for almost seven hours while forensic experts and members of Brazil's federal highway police examined the site of the crash, which is located at kilometre 209.

According to a study published by the World Bank, more than 34,000 people died in such accidents in 2023, most of them were motorcyclists.

Research suggests excessive speed, inebriated drivers and the use of mobile phones while driving is often the cause.

In February, 15 people died on board a bus carrying pilgrims to a festival in the north-eastern state of Ceará.