a At least 13 people have been killed in a collision between a minibus and a trailer on a highway in the Mexican state of TamaulipasThe local authorities reported this on Sunday.

The accident happened in the early hours of the morning on a highway between Zaragoza and Hidalgo, in the southern part of this border area with the United States.

“The civil protection authorities are helping and 13 deaths have been reported so far,” Tamaulipas’ security secretary said in a statement.

Images released by the authorities show that the passenger vehicle is practically burnt outwhile the trailer was also severely damaged by fire.

A prosecution source, who requested not to be identified, explained that the death toll could rise as there are indications that the driver of the trailer was traveling with his family and they too could have died.

It was initially pointed out that the driver may have fled.

Local media points out that the number of deaths can reach more than 20, but the prosecutor’s source consulted explained that the experts are still working near the accident.

According to local media, the victims would be members of a single family who would have rented the minibus to travel from the city of Monterrey (north) to the state of Veracruz (east).

Truck accidents have increased in recent years in Mexico due to speeding, the bad condition of some roads or the fatigue of the drivers.

This has led civil society organizations to demand stricter rules, such as a ban on the transport of double containers.