Brazilian President Luiz InacioLula da Silva said on the socialmedia platform X that hisgovernment "will give all necessary support to state authorities in the assistance, care and support of the   victims."

He expressed condolences to the families of those involved in the accident.

Alagoas state governor Paulo Dantas declared on X three days of mourning over the "tragedy."

The bus was reported to have been carrying some 40 people up a mountain road to a historical site near the town of Uniao dos Palmares when the driver lost control, apparently after a mechanical failure.

 bus went off the road in an area difficult to access, near a site in the Serra da Barriga mountain range that has historical importance to Brazilians.

In the 17th century there was a settlement there that was part of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a remote community set up by escaped slaves which ended up being crushed by Brazil's Portuguese colonial masters.

November is the month Brazil celebrates "Black Awareness," with a public holiday on November 20 -- the anniversary of the death of Zumbi, the most prominent leader of the Quilombo dos Palmares.

Brazil's racial equality minister, Anielle Franco, said on X she was "hit hard" by news of the accident, adding "this tragedy saddens us even more deeply" given the Black Awareness events held in the region