In brief
In a devastating incident on Saturday, two passenger buses collided in Bolivia, leading to the deaths of at least 37 people and injuring 30 others, local authorities reported.
The collision transpired approximately 5 kilometers from the city of Uyuni, and police stated that one driver is receiving intensive care while the other remains stable. Eyewitness accounts and images from local media depict a severely damaged bus with debris scattered across the roadside. The unfortunate event was attributed to a "lane invasion" on the route connecting Uyuni to Colchani. The buses were reportedly en route to Oruro, where the popular Oruro Carnival was taking place, one of the largest festivals in Latin America.Emergency responders worked swiftly, recovering the vehicles shortly after 10:00 local time and transporting the injured individuals to hospitals in Oruro and Potosí. Authorities have yet to identify the deceased, and the condition of the injured remains unclear. Commander Wilson Flores mentioned that police are also waiting for the outcome of alcohol tests conducted on the bus drivers.Tragically, fatal traffic accidents are not uncommon in Bolivia, with government statistics revealing an average of 1,400 road fatalities yearly in the country with a population of approximately 12 million. Earlier this year, a separate incident claimed 30 lives when a bus fell into a ravine, while another collision in January resulted in 19 deaths in the same area near Potosí.
