Bolivia Police announced on Monday that a serious car collision occurred in the Potosi Province in the southwest of the country in the early hours of the day, resulting in at least 31 deaths and 22 injuries.
According to local media reports, the accident took place on a highway 90 kilometers from the provincial capital Potosi city, as a pickup truck from Potosi city collided head-on with a long-distance bus carrying over fifty passengers traveling to Oruro city. The bus, after the collision, lost control and plunged approximately 500 meters deep into a ravine by the roadside.
Limbert Choque, a spokesperson for the Potosi Province Police Department, stated to local media that upon receiving the report, the police and emergency rescue personnel rushed to the scene for rescue efforts. Unfortunately, 31 bodies were ultimately found at the site, including adults as well as several children among the casualties. Additionally, 22 individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Local authorities mentioned that due to the bus falling off the cliff, rescue teams faced challenges in reaching the site, prolonging the rescue operation for several hours. Given the severity of injuries among passengers, the death toll is feared to rise.
Choque speculated, “We suspect that the pickup truck driver encroached into the opposite lane, leading to the collision.”
The injured pickup truck driver has been detained by the police and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital. The cause of the accident is under further investigation.
President of Bolivia Luis Arce expressed deep condolences to the victims on social media.
In a Facebook post, he stated, “This unfortunate event must be investigated, and accountability must be taken. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, hoping they have the strength to face this difficult time.”
This incident marks the second major road traffic accident during the carnival season in Bolivia. Last Saturday, two long-distance buses collided in the same region, resulting in 37 deaths and 39 injuries.
It is reported that Bolivia is a country prone to traffic accidents, with steep mountain roads, driver negligence, and speeding listed as the main causes for the frequent occurrences of such incidents.