A collective funeral was held for the child victims of a bus explosion in northern Colombia, national media reported on Wednesday.
The funeral saw the burial of 29 children, a day after officials were said to have released the bodies back to their families in the northern village of Fundacion, reported Colombian newspaper El Espectador.
MORE: Collective funeral to be held for 33 victims of bus tragedy
Locals gathered at the site early on Wednesday morning to lay flowers before the ceremony. Also present to pay their respects to the victims’ families were prominent political figures, including the governor of the northern state of Atlantico and the mayor of coastal city, Barranquilla, reported Colombian newspaper El Heraldo.
Before the ceremony, Roberto Padilla, priest of the National Police, offered a prayer and words of hope for the bereaved.
Solidarity March
Northern Colombia presented itself in its masses to show solidarity to the victims’ families. This follows Tuesday’s procession through Magdalena; a symbolic act that community leaders put on to help alleviate the pain and heartbreak that devastated the region.
MORE: Solidarity March for families of bus tragedy that claimed 33 held in northern Colombia
It is still unclear what caused the fire that claimed the lives of 33 people in Magdalena.
MORE: Owner of bus destroyed in bus tragedy sought by police
The owner of the bus is being sought by authorities after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Sources
- Sepelio colectivo en Fundación (El Espectador)
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Así fue el recorrido de los restos fúnebres desde Barranquilla a Fundación (El Heraldo)