At least 17 people were killed and 20 others injured after a school bus crashed and fell off a cliff in northern Colombia on Sunday, Dec. 14, authorities confirmed. The bus was carrying students from Liceo Antioqueno High School who were returning from a graduation celebration trip to the Caribbean coast.
The accident occurred around 5:40 a.m. local time on a road connecting Remedios and Zaragoza in the El Chispero area of Antioquia state. According to reports, the vehicle rolled approximately 80 meters down a ravine. The bus had been traveling from the coastal town of Tolu to Medellin when the crash occurred.
Andres Julian, governor of Antioquia, announced the incident in a post on social media, noting that the students had been celebrating their graduation on the beach before the journey home. The bus was carrying around 37 passengers at the time of the accident, with reports varying on the exact number aboard.
“It’s very hard news for the entire community during the time of December,” Julian stated on Sunday night.
The injured victims, whose ages range from 16 to 27, were transported to multiple medical facilities in the region. Sixteen people were admitted to the San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Remedios, while others were taken to hospitals in Segovia. The injured included 12 minors and four adults, according to Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Inclusion.
Edwin Castaneda, mayor of Segovia, coordinated the emergency response as injured passengers were distributed between the area hospitals. The medical facilities activated their full networks to handle the influx of patients requiring immediate care.
Among the fatalities was the bus driver, identified as Johnatan Taborda Cocacolo, who worked for Precultur, a tourist transportation company. Members of the Antioquia tourism network mourned his death and expressed condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by Colombian authorities. However, some sources have suggested the driver may have experienced a microsleep, a brief lapse in consciousness. According to medical experts, microsleep episodes typically last around 30 seconds and involve a temporary loss of awareness followed by sudden reawakening. These episodes pose significant dangers for drivers, particularly on mountainous roads where constant alertness is essential for safety.
Liceo Antioqueno High School clarified that the graduation trip was not an official school activity but had been organized directly by the 11th -grade students themselves. Despite this, the school issued a statement expressing deep regret over the incident.
“We deeply regret what happened to our students and their families,” the school stated. “Students from the graduating class of 2025 who participated in the graduation trip, we embrace them in this moment of great sorrow and offer our support to our entire community.”
The school changed its profile picture on social media to a black ribbon, a symbol of mourning for the victims. A vigil was held in Medellin on Sunday night, where school chairs were arranged with photographs of the children who died in the accident. Mourners gathered to light candles in memory of those who lost their lives.
Colombia’s National Road Safety Agency released a statement addressing the incident and emphasizing the importance of road safety practices. The agency confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the precise causes of the accident and verify all details regarding fatalities and injuries.
The timing of the accident, occurring during December when families typically gather for celebrations, has compounded the grief felt throughout the community. The loss of young lives returning from what should have been a joyous milestone celebration has resonated deeply across the region.
Road safety remains a persistent concern in mountainous regions of Colombia, where buses frequently navigate challenging terrain and winding roads. The National Road Safety Agency reminded all drivers and passengers of the critical importance of respecting traffic laws and avoiding risky behavior on roadways to prevent further incidents that impact Colombian families.
As investigations continue, authorities are working to provide support to the affected families and ensure that all circumstances surrounding the crash are thoroughly examined. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers present on Colombia’s rural highways, particularly routes that traverse steep and difficult terrain.
