LA PAZ/Xinhua
At least 14 people lost their lives due to the accident that occurred today Thursday between a passenger minibus and a trailer, on the highway that connects the Bolivian departments of Oruro (west) and Potosí (southwest), local authorities reported.
The director of Transportation and Road Safety of Oruro, Julio Larrea, explained to the local press that the accident took place in the community of Vichuloma, at the exit from Oruro to Potosí, where the cargo unit carrying salt hit the vehicle. passengers.
Larrea indicated that among the deceased there is a minor, in addition to the fact that the death toll could increase due to the delicate condition of the people who were injured, among them an occupant of the minibus and another of the cargo unit, who were transferred to nearby hospitals.
“The driver of the tractor-trailer, which was transporting salt from Potosí, presumably fell asleep due to fatigue, losing control of the vehicle,” said the head of Road Safety.
“A long braking pattern was observed and he was unable to return to his lane, which caused the head-on collision with the minibus,” he added.
The officer also called on people driving to respect safety regulations to avoid similar tragedies, noting that accidents on the aforementioned highway are frequent due to excessive speed.
Personnel from the Traffic Accident Division and the Highway Patrol are already carrying out the corresponding investigations to clarify the circumstances of the accident and determine responsibilities.
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