At least 30 killed after bus plunges into ravine in Bolivia

La Paz: A tragic bus crash in southern Bolivia has claimed at least 30 lives and left 15 others injured after the vehicle plunged into an 800-metre-deep ravine.

The accident occurred near the town of Yocalla, located on a narrow two-way road between the cities of Potosi and Oruro. The bus crashed into a ravine nearly half a mile deep, causing devastating consequences. Police Colonel Victor Benavides confirmed that "at least 30" bodies have been recovered and taken to morgues.

Local media reported that 15 people, including three children, were injured in the crash. Several victims are in serious condition, and all the injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Possible cause of accident

Authorities believe the crash was caused by speeding, with Colonel Benavides stating that the driver appeared to have "been unable to control the bus." However, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. The total number of passengers on the bus is yet to be confirmed.

This is the deadliest road accident reported in Bolivia this year, following a similar incident last month where 19 people lost their lives when a bus veered off the road near Potosi. Bolivia’s winding mountain roads are notorious for their danger, with road accidents claiming an average of 1,400 lives each year in the country, which has a population of around 12 million people.

Agency