At least 13 people have died and 29 others have been injured after a bus left the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia and fell into a ravine, Anadolu Agency1 reported, quoted by dariknews.bg.
The accident occurred on a mountain road in the department of Narino near the border with Ecuador, with the bus falling into a ravine 150 m deep.
The fire department reported that 11 people died on the spot, and two were later declared dead from their injuries. 29 victims were seriously injured and are recovering in 8 hospitals. The bus driver was among the injured.
Authorities said the bus was carrying tourists visiting the Las Lajas Sanctuary, a pilgrimage site located 2,900 meters above sea level and built in the canyon of the Guaytara River.
Nariño Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar attributed the incident to the driver's decision to use an alternative route to avoid paying tolls.
“We regret this tragic event at the beginning of 2025 to the visitors who came from Cali to the Las Lajas Sanctuary via the alternative route,“ the governor said. “Many drivers are taking alternative routes to avoid paying tolls“.
While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, mechanical failure and excessive speed are suspected.