An appalling bus collision in the Potosi region of western Bolivia claimed the lives of 37 individuals and left 39 injured on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The accident occurred on the route between Uyuni and Colchani, just a few miles from Uyuni, the gateway to the world’s largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, which spans over 3,900 square miles.
The crash took place around 7:00 a.m. local time when one of the buses veered into the opposing lane. A representative from the Departmental Police Command of Potosi confirmed the number of fatalities. One of the buses was bound for Oruro, a city currently hosting one of Latin America’s most significant carnival celebrations.
Images from Radio Uyuni depicted police extricating survivors from the twisted wreckage and emergency responders attending to bodies draped in blankets scattered across the high Andean plains. Preliminary investigation results suggest the accident may have resulted from driver impairment. Passengers reported seeing one of the drivers, who both survived the crash, consuming alcohol prior to the incident. Awaiting blood test results could provide more clarity.
The two drivers are in differing medical conditions, with one in intensive care and the other stable. Police are working to identify the deceased and the injured who were hospitalized. Reports indicate that the victims included children, though the exact number varies among sources. Some reports state eight minors among the deceased, while others confirm the death of at least two children.
Injured passengers were transported to four hospitals in Uyuni, as per the Departmental Police Command of Potosi spokesperson. Those with severe injuries were moved to larger medical facilities in Oruro and Potosí for specialized care. The exact distribution of patients and their conditions remain undisclosed.
This tragic incident underscores the persistent road safety problems in Bolivia, notorious for having some of the world’s riskiest roadways. Hazardous conditions resulting from mountainous terrain, poor road maintenance, and limited supervision claim about 1,400 lives each year in Bolivia, a country with roughly 12 million people, according to government figures.
This crash follows other recent fatal incidents on Bolivia’s perilous roads. Last month, 31 people perished when a bus plunged roughly 2,600 feet off a mountain road. In January, a bus accident near Potosí resulted in 19 fatalities.
Intercity travel in Bolivia is predominantly by bus, with safety standards varying significantly. Major accidents have been attributed to factors such as drunk driving, mechanical breakdowns, and challenging road conditions, especially during the rainy season.
Most Bolivian roads are unpaved and lack crucial safety features like shoulders, fences, or barriers. Sparse highway markings increase the danger, particularly in mountainous regions where four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for travel.
Bolivia’s road accident fatality rate ranks among the highest in Latin America. The Potosi region alone accounts for a significant slice of these deaths, with reports indicating it represents 10.6% of all traffic fatalities in the country.
Under Bolivian law, drivers involved in traffic accidents must remain at the scene until police arrive. Fleeing is considered a violation of local regulations, possibly explaining why both drivers, despite one allegedly under the influence of alcohol, remained at the crash site.
