A university outing in western Colombia turned fatal on Saturday when a bus carrying students and professors crashed on the Helicoil Bridge in the Quindio region, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people and injuring 11 others. The bus, en route from Tolima to Quindio, was carrying 26 passengers including 22 students, two teachers, and a communications officer from Humboldt University in Armenia, Colombia.
According to preliminary investigations, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the bus to slam into the barrier on the side of the bridge. The impact was so severe that several passengers were ejected from the bus and fell into the abyss below, police commander Luis Fernando Atuesta confirmed. Rescue efforts were immediately deployed, but despite their prompt response, the accident claimed the lives of 10 individuals.
Humboldt University released a statement expressing profound sorrow over the tragic event, announcing two days of mourning in honor of the victims. University director Diego Fernando Jaramillo Lopez, in a video message, acknowledged the loss of “several of our colleagues, students, professors and administrators” and conveyed his deepest condolences to the families affected by the accident.
The incident highlights the persistent challenge of road safety in Colombia, where traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death. Data from the national highway authority revealed that the country recorded an average of 22 traffic fatalities per day in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and stricter regulations.
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the loss of control and to establish whether any negligence or mechanical failure was involved. Meanwhile, the affected families and the university community are grappling with the shock and grief of losing their loved ones in such a devastating manner.
As the nation mourns this tragic accident, calls for improved road safety standards and better transport oversight continue to grow louder, with hopes that such incidents can be prevented in the future to protect lives on Colombia’s roads.
