Death Toll Rise To 23 In Truck Collision

Authorities have raised the death toll to 23 in a central Mexico town where a truck lost control and slammed into a religious procession.

A Public Safety Department official for the state of Zacatecas confirms the number of dead and says 35 were injured, some of them gravely.

The official was not authorized to be quoted by name and spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity.

The crash happened Wednesday in the town of Mazapil, Zacatecas state.

The truck was loaded with building materials when it apparently lost its brakes and ran into the Roman Catholic procession along a main street.

Such processions are common in Mexico to celebrate a saint’s day or special religious occasion. They often walk along roads to local shrines.