At least 13 people were killed and 28 injured after a bus filled with tourists plummeted down a 160-foot gorge in Colombia.
María Constanza García Alicastro, Colombia’s minister of transport, shared details of the tragedy on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Jan. 3.
She wrote that the accident occurred in the municipality of Tangua on the “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 continued, adding, “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 Spanish-language news outlet NTN24reported that the bus was carrying 42 passengers and was driving along a stretch of road with “complicated curves” when the accident occurred.
The outlet additionally noted that victims were rushed to hospitals in Tangua, Ipiales and the city of Pasto.
It is currently unclear if any children were onboard. The Tolombian Traffic Police are still investigating the identities of those involved in the crash, per NTN24.
According to The Sun, authorities currently believe the crash may have been caused by mechanical failure.
The bus was headed to the pilgrimage site Santuario de las Lajas, which is a tourist destination located about four miles from the Ecuadorian border, according to NTN24.
