Bus accident claims 13 lives in southern Colombia

A tragic bus accident in southern Colombia has resulted in the deaths of 13 people and left 30 others injured.

The incident occurred when the bus plunged off a cliff along the Pan-American Highway, between the cities of Pasto and Ipiales, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

According to the report, two of the victims are in critical condition and have been transferred to a nearby regional hospital. The remaining 28 injured passengers have been sent to medical facilities in the city of Pasto for treatment.

Authorities have reported that a bus transporting tourists to the Sanctuary of Las Lajas, a pilgrimage site located 2,900 meters (1.8 miles) above sea level within the Guaitara River canyon, plunged off a cliff in southern Colombia, killing 13 people and injuring 30. The site is located seven kilometers (4.3 miles) from the Ecuadorian border.

Nariño Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar attributed the crash to the driver’s decision to take an alternate route to avoid paying tolls. “We regret this tragic event at the beginning of 2025 of visitors who came from Cali to the Sanctuary of Las Lajas by the alternate route. Many drivers opt for alternate routes to avoid toll payments,” Escobar said.

While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, authorities suspect mechanical failure and excessive speed may have contributed to the incident.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences, offering support to the victims’ families. "We have a road disaster in Nariño. A private tourist bus veered off the road, resulting in 11 fatalities so far. Regrettable. The police are in charge of the emergency operation," he wrote earlier in the day on X.

By Vafa Guliyeva