A public bus traveling along the Cochabamba-Santa Cruz Highway met with a tragic accident, resulting in the loss of 20 lives.
The local authorities confirmed this somber development on Thursday, shedding light on the details of the catastrophic event.
The Departmental Director of Traffic Police, Colonel David Herbas, addressed the press with the grim news.
He revealed that the accident occurred near the El Locotal sector in the central municipality of Colomi.
The collision left the bus overturned, causing extensive damage and a high casualty count.
Among the victims, 39 individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Quick response teams and emergency services were dispatched promptly, rushing the injured to hospitals in Cochabamba for immediate medical attention.
As of now, the seriously injured remain in intensive care, battling for their lives.
Colonel David Herbas further mentioned that the injured bus driver underwent an alcohol test as part of the ongoing investigation.
The results of this test are anticipated to provide crucial information regarding the circumstances leading up to the tragic accident.
It remains to be seen whether alcohol consumption played a role in the disaster.
While the immediate focus is on the well-being of the survivors and the investigation into the driver's condition, broader inquiries are also underway.
Authorities are committed to determining the root cause of the accident.
Two primary avenues of investigation are being pursued: mechanical malfunction and human error.
Experts will meticulously examine the bus for any potential technical failures that might have contributed to the devastating crash.
Simultaneously, the actions of the bus driver and other potential human factors will be scrutinized to ascertain whether any negligence or misjudgment was involved.