Cape Verde has begun two days of national mourning following a bus crash on Fogo Island that killed 25 people, most of them children and teenagers.

Funeral ceremonies for 18 of the victims were held on Sunday afternoon, while seven others were buried earlier in the day.

Families, friends and residents gathered across Fogo Island to accompany the coffins to the cemetery and pay their final respects to the victims.

The bus was returning to São Filipe late on Saturday after a day out when it veered off the road and plunged into a deep ravine. Thirty-two people were on board.

The driver was among those killed. He had organised the annual excursion as a gift for pupils he drove to school during term time.

Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue victims trapped in the wreckage.

Twelve people remained in hospital on Sunday, including two who were in serious condition.

President José Maria Neves attended the funerals of some of the victims and ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the crash. (AriseNews TV)

•Residents and relatives carry the coffin of one the victims killed in a bus crash during their funeral at Sao Lourenco Church in the town of Sao Lourenco, on the island of Fogo, on September 6, 2026.