Over 30 Killed in Bolivia Bus Crash on Mountain Road
A devastating bus crash on a mountain road in Bolivia has left more than 30 people dead, according to police reports.
The accident occurred in the southwestern Yocalla district, where the bus plunged nearly 800 meters (about 2,625 feet) into a ravine, authorities said.
In addition to the fatalities, 14 people â including four children â were injured, according to a video statement from a local hospital official.
Bolivia’s mountain roads are notoriously dangerous, and accidents are unfortunately common, especially in remote regions.
Police say the crash happened between the cities of PotosĂ and Oruro. Colonel Victor Benavides, speaking to the AFP news agency, said investigators believe speeding was likely a factor, noting that the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle.
This crash is reportedly the deadliest road accident in Bolivia so far this year.
Local news outlet Unitel reported that several of the injured passengers are in critical condition.
Deadly traffic accidents are all too frequent in Bolivia. Just last month, another bus veered off a mountain road near PotosĂ, resulting in 19 deaths.
Government statistics show that roughly 1,400 people die in road accidents every year in Bolivia, a country of about 12 million residents.