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Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Irish tourist fatally injured after car overturns in Bolivia
An Irish tourist has died in Bolivia after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned during their travels on Friday afternoon. The man, understood to be in his 30s, was among a group of seven travelling in the Toyota Landcruiser when the accident occurred shortly after 5pm on Friday. The tourists had been making their way to a local volcano when the incident happened, travelling a further 40 metres before coming to a halt. An Irish tourist has died in Bolivia after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned during their travels on Friday afternoon. Pic: Getty Images The Irish tourist was fatally injured after sustaining an abdominal injury. He was rushed to hospital but died en route. Five of the other occupants of the car were injured — these included two Bolivian natives, two German natives and a Dutchman. The Mirror report that three of them were taken to hospital in Potosi. Pic: Radio Uyuni/ Facebook A local police chief is citing speed as a potential reason for the tragedy. Colonel Wilson Flores claimed that one of the tourists had requested to drive the vehicle so they could record a video for social media when the accident unfolded. He said: 'Unfortunately, due to excessive speed, it lost control and the vehicle turned over, causing one death and five injuries. 'The deceased passed away en route to Potosi due to the abdominal injury he suffered.' have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment.


Daily Tribune
02-03-2025
- Daily Tribune
At Least 37 Killed in Deadly Bus Crash in Bolivia's Potosí Region
A tragic accident involving two buses in the western Potosí region of Bolivia has left at least 37 people dead and dozens more injured, according to local authorities. The crash occurred early Saturday morning at 7 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT) on the highway between the cities of Uyuni and Colchani. The incident took place when one of the buses reportedly swerved into the oncoming lane, colliding with the other vehicle. The crash has resulted in 39 people being injured, with four hospitals in Uyuni treating the victims, some in critical condition. Local authorities have confirmed that 37 lives were lost in the devastating accident. The crash occurred in the vicinity of Uyuni, which is famous for the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat and a major tourist destination. Among those killed were two children, according to police. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to extricate survivors from the mangled wreckage, while images from Radio Uyuni showed bodies covered in blankets scattered across the high Andean flatlands. One of the buses involved was heading toward Oruro, a city currently hosting one of Latin America's most significant carnival celebrations. Bolivian authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with initial reports indicating that one of the drivers, who survived the incident, was seen consuming alcohol before the collision. Police are working to identify both the victims and the injured individuals. Bolivia's roadways, especially in mountainous and remote areas, are notorious for being poorly maintained and lack sufficient oversight. This contributes to the country's high traffic fatality rate, with an average of 1,400 people dying annually in road accidents. The government and local authorities are working to address the aftermath of this tragic event, with many questioning the safety standards on Bolivia's roads.


Arab Times
02-03-2025
- Arab Times
37 dead after two passenger buses collide in Bolivia: police
LA PAZ, Bolivia, March 2, (AP): At least 37 people have died and another 39 were injured when two buses collided on a rural roadway early Saturday in southwest Bolivia, police said. The accident took place at 7:00 am local time a few kilometers from Uyuni, the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, a major tourist attraction and the world's largest salt flat at more than 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 square miles). One of the buses was heading to Oruro, where one of the most important carnival celebrations in Latin America is currently taking place. Police officers removed survivors from the steel wreckage, according to images shot by Radio Uyuni, which showed several bodies covered in blankets strewn across the high Andean flatlands. A police spokesperson said one of the two drivers, who both survived the crash, was spotted by passengers consuming alcohol. Bolivia's mountainous, undermaintained and little supervised roadways are some of the deadliest in the world, claiming an average 1,400 fatalities every year.


Times of Oman
02-03-2025
- Times of Oman
37 killed, dozens injured in Bolivia bus crash
Sucre [Bolivia]: At least 37 people lost their lives, and 39 others were injured in a bus crash in Bolivia's Potosi region, Al Jazeera reported, citing police and local officials' statements. The accident occurred around 7 AM local time on Saturday on the road between Uyuni and Colchani. Authorities said one of the buses veered into the opposite lane, leading to the collision. Uyuni is the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, a major tourist attraction and the world's largest salt flat at more than 10,000sq km (3,900sq miles), as per Al Jazeera. Speaking to reporters, a spokesperson for the Departmental Police Command of Potosi stated, "As a result of this fatal accident, we have 39 people injured in four hospitals in the town of Uyuni, and 37 people have lost their lives." Police personnel are working to identify people who were killed and those who were injured and hospitalised, the spokesperson added. One of the buses was travelling to Oruro, where a major carnival celebration was underway. Authorities suspect that one of the drivers, who survived the crash, had been drinking before the accident. Passengers reportedly saw him consuming spirit. According to Al Jazeera, images captured by Radio Uyuni showed police rescuing survivors from the wreckage, while bodies covered in blankets lay scattered across the Andean highlands. Bolivia's mountainous, under-maintained and little-supervised roadways are some of the deadliest in the world, killing an average of 1,400 people every year. Last month, due to the heavy rains in Bolivia since November last year, the death toll rose to 28, said Juan Carlos Calvimontes, vice civil defence minister. The rains have affected eight of the country's nine Administrative divisions. "We are talking about 83 municipalities affected, and I am sure that within a week, many of them will declare themselves in disaster," the official told a press conference. So far, 27 municipalities have declared themselves in a state of emergency, of which 22 belong to La Paz, the Administrative division hardest hit by the climate. According to the government, the deaths were caused by floods in the departments of Chuquisaca (south), La Paz (west), Tarija (south), Cochabamba (centre), Santa Cruz (east), and Potosi (southwest).


Al Jazeera
01-03-2025
- Al Jazeera
At least 37 people killed and 39 wounded as two buses collide in Bolivia
At least 37 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a crash involving two buses in the western Potosi region of Bolivia, police and local authorities have said. The accident happened on Saturday at 7am local time (11:00 GMT) on the route between the cities of Uyuni and Colchani, when one of the vehicles swerved into the oncoming lane. Uyuni is the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni, a major tourist attraction and the world's largest salt flat at more than 10,000sq km (3,900sq miles). 'As a result of this fatal accident we have 39 people injured in four hospitals in the town of Uyuni, and 37 people have lost their lives,' a spokesperson for the Departmental Police Command of Potosi told reporters. Police personnel are working to identify people who were killed and those who were injured and hospitalised, the spokesperson added. One of the buses was heading to Oruro, where one of the most important carnival celebrations in Latin America is currently taking place. Police officers removed survivors from the steel wreckage, according to images shot by Radio Uyuni, which showed several bodies covered in blankets strewn across the high Andean flatlands. A police spokesperson said one of the two drivers, who both survived the crash, was spotted by passengers consuming alcohol. Bolivia's mountainous, under-maintained and little-supervised roadways are some of the deadliest in the world, killing an average of 1,400 people every year.