On Sunday, December 14, a serious traffic accident occurred in the Antioquia province in northwest Colombia. A bus carrying high school graduates lost control while driving and plunged into a valley approximately 250 feet (76 meters) deep, resulting in at least 17 deaths and 20 injuries.
According to media reports, the accident took place around 5:40 am local time on Sunday in a section of a highway in the northeastern part of Antioquia province. By the end of the day, the incident had claimed the lives of 16 students and the bus driver, with 20 others injured, including 3 in critical condition.
The students on the bus were aged between 16 and 18, all from a high school in Bello, Antioquia province. They had just finished a graduation trip and were on their way back to Medellin, the capital of Antioquia province.
Antioquia province’s Governor Andres Julian Rendon described it as a “very sad day.” He mentioned that following the accident, authorities immediately activated the provincial hospital network to respond to the emergency situation, coordinating ambulance services, treatment, and patient transfers while providing ongoing support to the families. He later visited the local hospital to check on the progress of the injured victims’ treatment and rescue efforts.
Healthcare facilities stated that some victims still require further observation, and they have concurrently offered psychological counseling and communication mechanisms to the families.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed sincere condolences to the affected families through social media and conveyed his sadness over the loss of many noble young lives. On platform X, he wrote, “I don’t like hearing news of young people passing away, especially when they are on their way to learn or enjoy leisure.”
Currently, the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Preliminary police investigations suggest that the bus driver falling asleep at the wheel may have been a contributing factor, but there is no definitive conclusion at this time.