Ecuadorian authorities on Monday confirmed that at least 21 people were killed and more than 40 were injured after a bus plunged into a deep ravine between the central towns of Guaranda and Ambato over the weekend.

The crash occurred on Sunday along an inter-provincial route linking Simiatug and Ambato, when the bus lost control and tumbled roughly 150 metres down a steep ravine.

Emergency responders initially reported 12 fatalities, but the toll climbed as rescue teams continued recovery operations through the night. 

In a statement early Monday, Ecuador’s ECU911 emergency service said the death count had “unfortunately risen to 21,” with dozens more receiving treatment for injuries of varying severity. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

Traffic accidents remain one of Ecuador’s leading causes of death, with official data indicating that one person dies on the roads every four hours.

Between January and May 2025 alone, authorities recorded 4,756 traffic accidents, resulting in 565 fatalities. Last year, the country saw around 2,300 traffic-related deaths, more than a third attributed to driver inexperience or recklessness.

Authorities are continuing investigations into Sunday’s deadly crash as families of the victims gather at local hospitals and morgues for identification procedures. Rescue personnel remain on-site to retrieve belongings and support ongoing recovery work.