“There are things we don’t understand, memories that break our hearts and moments when the world stops turning. In memory of the victims of the tragic bus accident on April 17, 2019. We will never forget you, you will live forever in our hearts.”
This is the message written, in Portuguese and German, on the plaque commemorating the fatal victims of the bus accident in Caniço, which left 29 tourists dead and 27 injured. On the day that marks five years after the tragedy, the memorial promised by the Santa Cruz municipality was inaugurated.
At the site of the accident, on the way down and in a place hidden from the view of those going down to Caniço de Baixo, the memorial is placed, in which a bouquet of flowers from the municipality of Santa Cruz was also placed. “The Santa Cruz City Council reiterates its deepest condolences to all the family and friends of those who perished in the fateful accident of April 17, 2019”, reads the message signed by Élia Ascensão.
The ceremony was discreet, but very emotional, with the presence of some of the survivors and relatives of the fatal victims from Germany.
Before the inauguration of the tribute plaque, a mass was held at the Caniço Church, attended by the German ambassador to Portugal, as well as the mayor of Santa Cruz and the group of family members of the victims and survivors of the accident.