At least 37 people were killed and 39 others injured when two buses collided in Bolivia’s western Potosi region on Saturday morning, March 1, 2025.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time on the route between the cities of Uyuni and Colchani when one of the vehicles swerved into the oncoming lane. The accident happened just a few kilometers from Uyuni, which serves as the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, a major tourist attraction and the world’s largest salt flat covering more than 3,900 square miles.
A spokesperson for the Departmental Police Command of Potosi confirmed the fatalities.
One of the buses involved in the collision was heading to the city of Oruro, where one of Latin America’s most important carnival celebrations is currently taking place. The festive destination has now become linked to one of the country’s deadliest transportation incidents this year.
Police officers worked to extract survivors from the mangled steel wreckage, according to images captured by Radio Uyuni. The footage also showed several bodies covered in blankets scattered across the high Andean flatlands as emergency responders attended to the scene.
According to preliminary investigation reports, the accident may have been caused by driver impairment. A police spokesperson said one of the two drivers, both of whom survived the crash, was spotted by passengers consuming alcohol before the incident. Blood tests have been conducted, though results have not yet been released.
The drivers’ conditions differ, with reports indicating one is receiving intensive care while the other is in stable condition. Police personnel are continuing to work on identifying those who were killed and those who were injured and hospitalized.
Some reports indicate that children were among the victims in the crash, though the exact number is not consistently documented across sources. One report specifically mentioned that eight minors were among the deceased, while another noted that “at least 37 people dead, including two children” were killed in the collision.
The injured passengers were distributed across four different hospitals in the town of Uyuni, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Departmental Police Command of Potosi. More severely injured victims have been transferred to larger medical facilities in the cities of Oruro and Potosí for specialized treatment, though the exact distribution of patients and the severity of their conditions hasn’t been detailed.
This devastating crash highlights the ongoing road safety issues in Bolivia, which has some of the most dangerous roadways in the world. The country’s mountainous terrain, combined with poorly maintained roads and limited supervision, creates hazardous conditions for travelers. These dangerous conditions claim approximately 1,400 lives annually in Bolivia, a country with a population of about 12 million inhabitants, according to government data.
The crash follows other recent deadly incidents on Bolivia’s treacherous roads. Just last month, 31 people died when a bus plunged approximately 2,600 feet off a mountainous road. In January, another bus accident near Potosí resulted in 19 fatalities when the vehicle went off the road.
Most intercity travel in Bolivia is conducted by bus, with varying levels of safety. Major accidents have been attributed to factors including drunk driving, mechanical failures, and the challenging road conditions, particularly during the rainy season.
The majority of Bolivia’s roads are unpaved and lack proper safety features such as shoulders, fencing, or barriers. Highway markings are minimal, adding to the danger, especially in mountainous regions where four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for travel.
Bolivia’s road accident fatality rate stands as one of the highest in Latin America. The Potosi region alone accounts for a significant portion of these deaths, with reports indicating it represents 10.6% of all traffic fatalities in the country.
Bolivian law requires drivers involved in traffic accidents to remain at the scene until police arrive. Attempting to flee is considered a violation of local regulations, which may explain why both drivers, despite one allegedly consuming alcohol, stayed at the crash site.
