Praia, Jan. 29, 2025 (Lusa) - The Cabo Verdean authorities are going to assess the road on the island of Santo Antão where, two days ago, a rock crushed part of a public transport vehicle, causing two deaths and the amputation of a French tourist's arm.
"An assessment is planned for tomorrow [Thursday]," Porto Novo's Civil Protection councillor, Celso Medina, told Lusa.
"I advocate an assessment and then, if necessary, an inquiry, but that decision will be up to the person responsible for the road," he added.
The assessment of the link between Porto Novo and Janela, one of the island's main roads, will include the participation of Civil Protection, the Roads Institute and a technician from the Porto Novo city council.
"It's a location where there has always been this danger of falling [rocks] and it's not the only road we have in this situation," he said, pointing out that there are other roads on the island with similar risks.
He also pointed out that there is no specific signposting for falling stones on the roads.
He explained that Santo Antão's roads are practically carved out of the mountains, which represents a major challenge.
He pointed to the need for interventions, since the conditions represent a risk, especially during the rainy season (from July to October), when falling stones are more frequent.
The accident occurred on Monday, when a rock crushed part of a light passenger transport vehicle on the road that skirts the steep slopes between Porto Novo and Janela, causing the death of two young people and injuring six others, including a 62-year-old French tourist who had an arm amputated.
As for the injured, the councillor said that an analysis is also planned to guarantee assistance, including support for the families of the fatalities.
On Monday, the city council of Ribeira Grande de Santo Antão declared official mourning for two days, expressing its regret at the accident.
In 2023, Santo Antão hosted the International Conference on Rural and Nature Tourism, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting the island, which, along with others, offers experiences linked to nature, distinct from ‘sun and beach’ tourism.
Tourism and associated activities, such as transport, are growing and are the driving force behind the archipelago's economy, with the government forecasting that last year it would exceed the target of 1.2 million tourists, previously set for 2026.
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