A tragic accident in the western Potosi region of Bolivia has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 individuals and left many others injured, according to reports from police and local authorities.
The incident occurred on Saturday at 7am local time (11:00 GMT) on the road connecting the cities of Uyuni and Colchani. One of the buses involved veered into the opposite lane, leading to the collision.
Uyuni serves as the entry point to the Salar de Uyuni, a popular tourist destination known as the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 10,000sq km (3,900sq miles).
Authorities are currently working to identify those who lost their lives in the crash as well as those who sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at local hospitals.
One of the buses was en route to Oruro, where a significant carnival celebration is currently underway in Latin America.
Images captured by Radio Uyuni showed police officers rescuing survivors from the mangled wreckage, with several bodies covered in blankets scattered across the rugged Andean landscape.
According to a police spokesperson, passengers observed one of the drivers consuming alcohol before the tragic collision, while both drivers managed to survive the crash.
The mountainous terrain, poor road conditions, and lack of oversight make Bolivia’s roads some of the most dangerous in the world, claiming an average of 1,400 lives annually.
