On Saturday, July 20, 2024, In Bolivia, a head-on collision between a truck and a bus on a highway in the Bolivian Andes resulted in the loss of 22 lives and left 16 others injured.
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The accident occurred on Saturday, July 20, 2024. The collision took place on a highway between the Bolivian town of Patacamaya and Tambo Quemado in northern Chile.
A truck and a passenger bus were involved in the crash. 22 people were killed including the drivers of both vehicles and 16 others were injured.
Investigations by traffic officer Nilo Torrico revealed that the truck had veered into the opposite lane while attempting to overtake another vehicle.
This prohibited maneuver led to the head-on collision. Images shared by Unitel, a local news channel and depicted the aftermath with the bus’s front section shattered and the truck severely damaged.
Several bodies were visible on the road. First responders worked to extract bodies trapped in the wreckage and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
The passenger bus was traveling towards Chile heading towards the Arica region. The cargo truck was returning to Bolivia from the Chilean border.
At least 22 people have been confirmed dead. Among the deceased, 14 have been identified with at least one confirmed Chilean national as per the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
16 individuals sustained injuries and have been transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
The collision occurred when the truck attempting to overtake another vehicle veered into the opposite lane and crashed head-on into the bus.
Both the truck and the bus sustained severe damage with the front sections of both vehicles being heavily impacted.
Some bodies were found at the accident site and rescue teams were engaged in extracting the deceased and injured from the wreckage.
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According to Traffic Officer Nilo Torrico, the truck’s maneuver to overtake another vehicle was prohibited and resulted in crossing into the wrong lane leading to the collision.
Emergency responders have been working to extract bodies and provide medical care to the injured.
So far, 14 of the deceased have been identified. Among them, the Chilean Foreign Ministry confirmed that at least one of its citizens was a victim of the accident.
Efforts are still underway to identify the remaining victims and notify their families.
Traffic Officer Nilo Torrico stated, “This truck made a prohibited maneuver, and as a result, we have this unfortunate accident.”
Bolivia experiences approximately 1,400 traffic fatalities annually with a huge number of accidents attributed to poor driving practices and mechanical failures.
The road where the accident occurred is known for its high traffic volume due to its role as a major commercial and tourist route between Bolivia and Chile.
This accident follows another severe road crash in Bolivia on April 4, 2024, which killed 14 people and injured two.
The Bolivian government, through local traffic authorities and emergency services is actively investigating the accident to determine additional factors that may have contributed to the collision.
The Chilean government has expressed condolences and is coordinating with Bolivian authorities to address the implications for Chilean nationals affected by the crash.
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