Bus crash during varsity trip kills 10 in Colombia
Preliminary investigations indicate the driver lost control while transporting 26 passengers from Tolima to Quindio.
A student and faculty field trip turned tragic on Saturday in western Colombia when their bus crashed, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 11 injuries, according to the university.
Preliminary investigations indicate the driver lost control while transporting 26 passengers from Tolima to Quindio.
Police commander Luis Fernando Atuesta reported that the bus collided with a barrier on the Helicoil Bridge in the Quindio area, causing several passengers to be thrown from the vehicle.
"Several passengers were thrown from the bus and fell into the ravine," said police commander Luis Fernando Atuesta, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the tragic crash.
Humboldt University in the Colombian city of Armenia expressed deep sorrow and announced two days of mourning following the loss of several students, faculty, and staff in the incident.
University director Diego Fernando Jaramillo Lopez confirmed the bus was carrying 22 students, two teachers, and a communications officer.
Road accidents remain a leading cause of death in Colombia, with the national highway authority reporting an average of 22 fatalities per day in 2024.
