Uyuni, Bolivia – A catastrophic head-on collision between two buses in Bolivia has left at least 37 people dead and more than 30 others injured, prompting authorities to launch an urgent investigation into the tragedy.
The crash occurred early Saturday morning, approximately three miles from the southwestern city of Uyuni, on the main road to Colchani.
Shocking images from the scene reveal the extent of the destruction, with both buses severely damaged—half of their windows and bodywork torn apart by the force of the collision. Luggage and personal belongings lay scattered along the roadside as bystanders gathered in shock at the tragic aftermath.
One of the buses was en route to Oruro, home to one of South America’s largest carnivals, but the passengers’ celebrations were cut short by the fatal accident.
Police swiftly responded to the crash, with local commander Wilson Flores confirming the heartbreaking loss of life.
“We have lost approximately 37 people who are believed to have died and around thirty wounded, whose condition we are still verifying in different hospitals,” Flores stated, according to Vision 360.
Both bus drivers survived the collision but sustained injuries. One remains in intensive care, while the other is in stable condition.
Initial police reports suggest that one of the buses may have veered into the opposite lane before the crash. Authorities have conducted alcohol tests on both drivers and are awaiting results.
This tragic incident is the latest in a series of deadly bus accidents in Bolivia.
In February, at least 30 people were killed when a passenger vehicle lost control at high speed and plunged into a ravine. The crash, which occurred on a narrow two-way road between Potosí and Oruro—near Saturday’s collision site—also left 15 people injured after the bus fell into a half-mile-deep abyss.
Another horrifying crash in December saw 38 people killed in Brazil when a packed bus collided with a lorry and burst into flames. Witnesses reported that a sudden tyre blowout caused the driver to lose control, leading to a devastating impact.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest Uyuni crash as Bolivia grapples with an ongoing crisis of road safety incidents, urging for stricter transport regulations to prevent further tragedies.
