At least 37 people were killed and 30 others injured when two passenger buses collided on a rural road in southwestern Bolivia early Saturday, police said.
The crash occurred at around 7.00 am local time, approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the city of Uyuni, a gateway to the Salar de Uyuni—the world’s largest salt flat, covering more than 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 square miles) and a major tourist attraction.
The incident occurred at 7.00 am local time near Uyuni, which serves as an entry point to the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat spanning over 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 square miles) and a popular tourist destination.
One of the vehicles involved was travelling to Oruro, where significant carnival celebrations are currently underway, marking one of Latin America’s most prominent festivals.
Radio Uyuni captured footage showing police rescuing survivors from the mangled wreckage, while several victims lay covered in blankets across the elevated Andean plains.
According to a police representative, passengers reported that one of the bus drivers, both of whom survived the accident, was observed drinking alcohol.
The dangerous conditions of Bolivia’s roads, characterised by mountainous terrain, poor maintenance, and minimal supervision, result in approximately 1,400 deaths annually, making them among the world’s most hazardous.
