Sucre [Bolivia], March 2: A devastating bus crash in Bolivia’s Potosi region on Saturday morning has claimed the lives of at least 37 people, with 39 others injured, according to local police and officials. The accident occurred around 7 AM local time on the road between Uyuni and Colchani, when one of the buses veered into the opposite lane, leading to a deadly collision.
Uyuni, known as the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, is a popular tourist destination. Authorities confirmed that the crash resulted in multiple fatalities, and the injured were rushed to hospitals in the town of Uyuni. A spokesperson for the Departmental Police Command of Potosi reported that 39 individuals were receiving medical treatment across four local hospitals.
One of the buses involved in the accident was reportedly traveling to Oruro, a city where a major carnival celebration was taking place. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities suspect that one of the surviving drivers had been drinking before the crash, as witnesses reported seeing him consume alcohol prior to the incident.
Bolivia’s mountainous and poorly-maintained roadways, coupled with inadequate oversight, have earned the country a reputation for having some of the most dangerous roads in the world. On average, over 1,400 people lose their lives in traffic accidents each year.
This crash adds to the growing death toll in Bolivia, as the country continues to grapple with heavy rainfall since November, which has caused widespread flooding across various regions. In January, the death toll due to the flooding reached 28, and many areas are still dealing with the aftermath of the climate-related disaster.