On the morning of February 17, 2025, a tragic accident occurred in southwestern Bolivia. A passenger bus carrying 46 individuals plummeted about 2,600 feet into a deep ravine, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 individuals and severely injuring at least 14 others. Officials have reported this to be the deadliest transportation accident in the country within the last year.
The crash occurred at 11:45 a.m. on a dangerous mountain highway that links the historic mining city of Potosí, with a population of 170,000, to Oruro, a regional transportation hub home to 265,000 residents. The accident site is in Bolivia’s Yocalla district, known for its high-altitude terrain and hazardous driving conditions.
A police officer at Daniel Bracamonte Hospital in Potosí clarified that the bus driver likely lost control of the vehicle on a notorious road segment for twists and turns. This led to the bus plunging over 2,600 feet down a cliff in the southwestern municipality of Yocalla. The officer suggested that the driver’s excessive speed may have hindered his ability to remain on the road.
The aftermath of the crash was horrific. Emergency responders initially counted 31 bodies within the wreckage. However, upon a more careful inspection by recovery teams, officials later verified that the death toll was 30.
Of the 14 survivors, four were children who suffered severe injuries. Two adult passengers needed immediate intensive care, according to medical officials. The hospital administrator, in a video update, stated that several of the injured remain in critical condition, with doctors doing everything possible to stabilize their health.
Emergency response units, consisting of local police, firefighters, and medical personnel from both Potosí and Oruro, encountered significant challenges reaching the crash site due to the steep and remote terrain.
This incident again highlighted the perilous nature of Bolivia’s mountain roads, especially in mining regions. A similar accident occurred just a month ago, near Potosí, claiming 19 lives when a bus veered off the road. Government data shows that road accidents in Bolivia, a country of 12 million, result in approximately 1,400 deaths each year, with a disproportionate number happening on mountainous routes.
Rescue operations will continue throughout the week as the teams work on retrieving victims and clearing the wreckage. Police officials have stated that the identification of victims is ongoing at the Potosí city morgue, with families being informed as confirmations are made.
