At least 13 people died, and nearly 30 were injured after a bus plunged down a 160-foot gorge in Colombia on Friday, Jan. 3.
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According to Colombia’s Minister of Transport, María Constanza García Alicastro, the tragic accident happened in the municipality of Tangua on a “road that connects Pasto with Ipiales” in the early morning hours.
“So far, the authorities have reported 13 people dead, 28 injured, and 1 unharmed,” she shared on X (formerly Twitter). “My deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and I express my full solidarity on behalf of the national government in these difficult times.”
Local media outlet NTN24 also reported that 42 people were on the bus when it crashed on the Pasto-Rumichaca highway. Sources stated that the vehicle was driving on a stretch of road with “complicated curves” when it crashed.
The bus was traveling to the Santuario de las Lajas,a pilgrimage sites four miles from the Ecuadorian border.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Tangua, Ipiales, and the city of Pasto.
Law Enforcement, Officials Share What May Led to the Colombia Bus Plunge
The Sun further reported that law enforcement believed the accident resulted from mechanical failure and excessive speeding.
However, media outlet Bernama stated that Narino Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar stated he believed the bus driver’s decision to use an alternative route to avoid paying tolls may have contributed to the accident.
“We regret this tragic event at the beginning of 2025 involving visitors who came from Cali to the Sanctuary of Las Lajas via the alternative route,” he stated. “Many drivers opt for alternative routes to avoid toll payments.”
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro shared his condolences to those who perished in the accident. He stated that law enforcement led in the emergency response.
“We have a road disaster in Narino,” he confirmed. “A private tourist bus veered off the road, resulting in 11 fatalities so far. Regrettable. The police are in charge of the emergency operation.”
The accident comes weeks after a group of Colombia nationals were killed in a fatal bus crash near a French ski resort.
According to AP News, 30 passengers on the bus were Colombian citizens living in Spain. The vehicle crashed while in the French Pyrenees, located in Southern France.
Two people were killed, and dozens of others were injured.
The bus was returning to Barcelona after taking passengers to the principality of Andorra for a shopping trip.
Colombia’s ambassador to France, Alfonso Prada, spoke out about the accident.
“We have identified that the passengers were people who live in Barcelona,” Prada shared. “They were going back home after doing some shopping in Andorra to take advantage of (seasonal) sales.”
A total of 47 people were on board the bus when the crash occurred.