Bolivia’s Worst Road Accident: 22 killed, 16 Wounded

News Desk

La Paz: The deadliest road accident of the year in Bolivia occurred after a truck and bus collided head-on on a roadway in the Andes. The collision killed 22 lives and 16 injured.

The crash occurred on a route connecting the Bolivian town of Patacamaya to Tambo Quemado in northern Chile.

The bus was on route to Chile along a heavily trafficked commercial and tourist route when the truck, attempting to overtake another vehicle, veered into the opposite lane, leading to the catastrophic collision. Both drivers were among the fatalities.

Initial reports indicate that the truck’s attempt to overtake was a prohibited maneuver. Images from the scene showed the bus’s front end severely damaged and the truck in ruins, with some bodies visible on the road.

Emergency responders worked to free those trapped in the wreckage.

Bolivia reports approximately 1,400 traffic fatalities annually, attributed to poor driving and mechanical failures. In April, a similar accident in southwestern Bolivia resulted in 14 deaths and two injuries.

AFP/APP