17 Students Killed in Deadly School Bus Accident in Colombia

At least 17 students have died and 20 others were injured after a school bus carrying high school pupils fell off a cliff in northern Colombia, authorities confirmed on Sunday night, December 14.

The bus was returning from a graduation trip to the Caribbean towns of Tolú and Coveñas, where students from Antioqueño High School had been celebrating on the beach. Students aboard were aged between 16 and 18. The vehicle reportedly fell about 40 meters into a ravine, officials said.

Governor of Antioquia, Andrés Julián Rendón, described the incident as devastating for the community, particularly during the December holiday season. Rescue teams faced difficult conditions due to the steep terrain, carrying survivors on stretchers to safety.

Authorities said the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Colombia’s National Road Safety Agency has launched a probe, while local media suggest the driver, identified as Johnatan Taborda Cocacolo, may have briefly fallen asleep at the wheel.

The crash took place in a region where the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group remains active, prompting additional safety measures during rescue operations. The ELN had previously warned civilians to avoid travel for 72 hours due to military exercises.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his sorrow on social media, saying he was deeply saddened by the loss of young lives, especially during a time meant for study and celebration. The tragedy comes amid reports that Colombia averages 22 traffic-related deaths per day in 2024.

Videos from the scene show the scale of the crash and the challenging conditions faced by emergency responders, highlighting the deadly risks faced by travelers in some rural areas of the country.