At least 28 people have been killed in a bus accident on a mountainous road in Bolivia, according to reports.
The vehicle plunged down a 2625 ft deep ravine in the southwestern district of Yocalla, after the driver lost control along the route on Monday, Feb. 17, BBC News, Reuters and local outlet Unitelreported.
The wreckage of a passenger bus that fell into an abyss near the town of Yocalla in Bolivia on Feb. 17.
HANDOUT/Bolivian Police/AFP via Getty
According to a preliminary report obtained by Unitel, local police initially said that 31 people, believed to be passengers, had died in the incident. The number was later lowered to 28 deaths but police are still searching for more fatalities.
Additionally, fourteen people, including four children, were injured and transported to Daniel Bracamonte Hospital in the city of Potosí, Unitel reported. According to the outlet, two of the injured parties required treatment in intensive care.
Police Colonel Victor Benavides said authorities believe the driver — who was heading to the city of Oruo — may have been speeding at the time of the incident and was “unable” to control the bus, BBC News reported, citing the AFP news agency.
Benavides added that the bus’ route was “full of twists and turns,” per Reuters.
A spokesman for the departmental police command in Potosí, Colonel Limbert Choque said emergency teams “are still recovering the bodies, while investigations are carried out,” per Unitel.
Per BBC, this is believed to be the most serious road accident reported in the South American country so far this year. Deadly road accidents are common in Bolivia and kill an average of 1,400 people every year.
The outlet also reported that in January, 19 people were killed when another bus came off a road, also near Potosí.
