A bus crash on a mountain road in Bolivia has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, police report. The vehicle plunged nearly 800 meters (2,625 feet) into a ravine in the Yocalla district, located in the southwestern part of the country.
In addition to the fatalities, 14 people, including four children, were injured. A local hospital official confirmed the injuries in a video statement.
The accident occurred between the cities of Potosí and Oruro, an area known for its dangerous roads, particularly in the mountainous regions. Officials suspect speeding may have contributed to the crash. “The driver was unable to control the bus,” said Police Colonel Victor Benavides in an interview with AFP.
This incident is believed to be the deadliest road accident in Bolivia so far this year. Local news outlet Unitel reported that several of the injured are in critical condition.
Fatal road accidents are frequent in Bolivia. Just last month, 19 people died when another bus went off the road near Potosí. According to government statistics, road accidents claim an average of 1,400 lives annually in the country of around 12 million people.
