At least 31 people were killed in southern Bolivia on Monday when their bus plunged into a ravine after colliding with a pick-up truck, adding to the nearly 70 fatalities in the region in recent days, authorities reported.
This latest tragedy occurred in the Potosi department, around 90 kilometers (60 miles) north of Potosi city, just two days after a deadly crash near Uyuni, where at least 37 people were killed. The crash involved buses carrying festivalgoers to and from the Oruro Carnival, one of Latin America’s largest festivals, attracting tens of thousands of revelers.
The Monday accident happened as people were leaving the carnival and headed back to their homes in the Andean city. Investigators suspect that the pick-up driver caused the crash by crossing into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with the bus, which then plunged down a 500-meter (half a kilometer) gorge. The collision also left 22 others injured.
The pick-up driver was arrested while receiving medical treatment for his injuries in the hospital. He is under investigation for homicide and causing serious injury.
The deadly crashes came just days after another fatal accident near Uyuni, which also involved buses carrying carnival attendees. In that case, authorities believe the bus driver was speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred. Six foreigners were among the victims, including five Peruvians and a German child, aged three.
Road accidents in Bolivia are alarmingly common, especially on the country’s narrow, mountain roads. Bolivia records an average of 1,400 traffic deaths each year. The Potosi region accounts for 10.6 percent of all traffic accidents, with over 120 fatalities reported so far in 2025.
