At least 17 people were killed and 20 others injured after a school bus crashed off a cliff in northern Colombia on Sunday, December 14, 2025, according to authorities.
The bus, carrying students from Liceo Antioqueño High School, was traveling from the Caribbean town of Tolú to Medellín after the students had been celebrating their graduation on the beach. The crash occurred around 5:40 a.m. local time on a road between Remedios and Zaragoza in the El Chispero area of Antioquia state.
The vehicle, which had been carrying 45 passengers, fell approximately 80 meters down the cliff. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, though preliminary reports suggest the driver may have experienced a microsleep.
Among the fatalities was the bus driver, identified as Johnatan Taborda Cocacolo, who worked for the Precultur tourist transportation company. The injured, whose ages range from 16 to 27, included four adults and 12 minors.
The injured passengers were transported to two hospitals in the region. Sixteen people were admitted to San Vicente de Paúl Hospital in Remedios, while others were taken to a hospital in Segovia. Edwin Castañeda, mayor of Segovia, coordinated the emergency response as medical facilities activated their full networks to handle the influx of patients.
The Colombia National Road Safety Agency issued a statement following the tragedy. “At this time, the competent authorities are conducting investigations to determine the causes of the accident,” the agency said.
The school clarified that the outing was not an official school activity. The trip had been organized by the graduating class of 2025, with 11th-grade students coordinating the journey to celebrate their graduation.
Liceo Antioqueño High School issued a statement offering condolences to the families impacted by the tragedy. The school conveyed deep regret over what happened to the students and their loved ones, expressing solidarity with the graduating class members who had been on the trip. The institution pledged to embrace those affected during this time of profound grief and extended support to the entire school community.
The school changed its social media profile picture to a black ribbon, symbolizing mourning for the victims. A vigil was held in Medellín on Sunday night to honor those who died in the tragedy.
The crash occurred in a rural area of northern Colombia, making initial response efforts challenging. Emergency services worked through the morning hours to reach the site and evacuate survivors from the steep terrain.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Colombia, particularly on mountainous routes where buses frequently transport students and tourists. The National Road Safety Agency continues to emphasize the importance of responsible driving and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents.
The investigation will examine multiple factors that may have contributed to the crash, including driver fatigue, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance. Microsleep, a brief lapse in consciousness lasting approximately 30 seconds during which an individual loses and regains awareness, remains a hypothesis under investigation by authorities.
The graduating students had been returning from a beach celebration in Tolú, a popular coastal destination on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The journey back to Medellín typically takes several hours through mountainous terrain, requiring drivers to navigate winding roads and steep inclines.
The Precultur tourist transportation company, which employed the deceased driver, has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident. Members of the Antioquia tourism network expressed condolences to the driver’s family, friends, and colleagues following confirmation of his death.
Local officials mobilized comprehensive medical resources to address the emergency. The hospital network in Antioquia state activated all available facilities to treat the injured passengers, with medical teams working throughout Sunday to stabilize patients and provide necessary care.
The crash represents one of the deadliest road accidents in the region in recent years. The loss of young graduates, who were celebrating a milestone achievement, has particularly affected the community in Medellín and surrounding areas.
As investigations continue, authorities will likely examine whether additional safety measures are needed for tourist transportation companies operating in mountainous regions. The findings may inform future regulations aimed at preventing similar tragedies on Colombia’s challenging road networks.
