At least 37 people lost their lives and around 30 others sustained injuries following a severe bus collision near the city of Uyuni, Bolivia, early on Saturday morning. The crash occurred just 5 kilometers (around 3 miles) from Uyuni, according to local police reports.
The collision was attributed to a "lane invasion," leading to the two buses crashing on a route connecting Uyuni to Colchani. Among the injured, one bus driver is in critical condition receiving intensive medical care, while the other driver is stable.
Images from Bolivian media show the extent of the wreckage, with one bus severely damaged and personal belongings strewn along the roadside. Authorities managed to recover the vehicles by 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT), while the injured were immediately rushed to hospitals in both Oruro and Potosí for treatment.
The deceased have not yet been identified, and further details regarding the conditions of the injured remain pending. Police Commander Wilson Flores confirmed that results from alcohol tests taken from the drivers await further review.
Tragically, fatal traffic incidents are all too prevalent in Bolivia. Earlier this year, a separate bus plunge into a ravine resulted in over 30 fatalities, while another incident in January left 19 dead in a similar area. Government statistics indicate that approximately 1,400 people die annually in road accidents in the country home to about 12 million inhabitants.
