The accident was reported by Bolivian police on Monday morning, initially citing 15 deaths and 19 injuries.

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Bolivia’s President, Luis Arce, has confirmed that the death toll from the tragic traffic accident in the Potosí department has risen to 31. The incident occurred when a public transport bus plunged more than 800 meters down a ravine after colliding with another motor vehicle.

In an official statement, Arce expressed his profound sadness over the incident, which took place on the highway connecting the departments of Potosí and Oruro, specifically near the town of Leñas. “This tragic event must be investigated to determine responsibility. We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” the president stated.

The accident was reported by Bolivian police on Monday morning, initially citing 15 deaths and 19 injuries. However, as rescue operations progressed, the number of fatalities increased, reflecting the severity of the incident.

Traffic accidents are a recurring problem on Bolivia’s interdepartmental highways, where speeding by drivers has been identified as one of the main causes. This tragic event highlights a concerning trend, as just days earlier, on March 1, a similar accident in the same region left at least 37 dead and 39 injured.

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, Bolivia records approximately 21,800 traffic accidents annually, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and more than 13,900 injuries.

This situation poses a significant challenge for authorities in terms of road safety and the urgent need to implement effective measures to prevent future accidents.

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