Ceará bus crash kills seven young basketball players

A bus traveling on the CE-187 highway between Tauá and Quiterianópolis in Ceará overturned early on Monday, killing seven members of the sub‑19 basketball team from Juazeiro do Norte. The victims, aged 15‑19, had been returning from a tournament in Sobral where they won the championship. More than 30 people were injured, with 21 taken to the Regional Hospital in Tauá and nine sent to a local urgent care unit.

During the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis addressed pilgrims from Brazil and prayed for the deceased athletes. A memorial mass was later held at the Bom Jesus do Horto church in Juazeiro do Norte, and a collective wake took place in the city's sports gymnasium.

Authorities, including the fire department, military police, forensic experts and emergency medical services, responded to the accident, noting that many passengers were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.