10 Killed, Several Injured as Bus Ferrying University Students on Field Trip Crashes in Colombia
- At least 10 people died in a tragic bus accident involving Humboldt University students and staff in western Colombia
- The bus, carrying 26 passengers on a field trip, crashed near the Helicoil Bridge after the driver lost control
- Humboldt University management declared two days of mourning for the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Colombia - At least ten people have been confirmed dead following a horrific accident involving a bus ferrying Humboldt University students.
Source: Twitter
How did the Colombia bus accident occur?
Gulf News reported that university students and their professors were on a field trip when the speeding bus crashed in western Colombia on Saturday, May 24.
Police Commander Luis Fernando Atuesta confirmed the sad news, disclosing that 10 people died on the spot while 11 others sustained serious injuries.
According to the police chief, the driver of the bus, which was carrying 26 passengers from Tolima to Quindio, lost control near the Helicoil Bridge.
Preliminary investigations show the bus struck a barrier, and several passengers were ejected from the vehicle, falling into a nearby ravine.
"We are trying to establish the conditions of this unfortunate accident. Several passengers were ejected and fell into the abyss," Atuesta said.
Humboldt University confirmed the heartbreaking news, revealing that the bus was ferrying 22 students, two teachers and a communications officer
The university director, Diego Fernando Jaramillo Lopez, said the institution was saddened by the horrific accident.
The university announced two days of mourning to honour those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
“This is a painful loss for our community. The bus was carrying 22 engineering students, two teachers and a communications officer," Lopez said as reported by Daily News.
Source: Facebook
Why Githurai residents want government to install speed bumps
In other news, a serious road accident involving a motorbike, two saloon cars, and a lorry occurred at Githurai 45 on the busy Thika Superhighway.
The incident, shared on social media by radio host Jeff Kuria on Sunday, May 25, reignited public concern over road safety in the area.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described scenes of horror and distress, though official information about casualties is yet to be released.
Githurai 45 has become known for frequent accidents in recent months, prompting locals to urge the government to act quickly.
Residents are calling for the installation of speed bumps to reduce vehicle speeds on this dangerous stretch.
How did Nandi High School student die in accident?
Elsewhere, sorrow and grief prevailed in Kaibeyo, Emgwen, Nandi County, during the burial of Sharon Jesang.
Sharon, a Form Four student at St Mary’s Tachasis Girls’ Secondary School, died in a road accident while returning to school after the mid-term break on March 3, 2025.
Family, friends, and mourners were overcome with emotion as one of Sharon’s classmates paid tribute during the ceremony.
She was laid to rest on March 12, 2025.
What is Kenya doing to reduce road accidents?
The Kenyan government is implementing a multifaceted strategy to curb the increasing cases of road accidents.
The government, through the Ministry of Transport, has been conducting an International Road Assessment (IRP) programme on all major roads to identify high-risk areas and make necessary upgrades to minimise the danger.
Some of the remedies to these risks include better signage, pedestrian crossing marks, and installation and upgrading of traffic lights.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) is enforcing stricter traffic rules to ensure drivers comply with the law at all times. The Authority has particularly been active in dealing with drunk driving, overspeeding, and the use of unroadworthy vehicles to ferry passengers.
The NTSA has also tapped into technology to enhance efficiency. For instance, the Authority is installing speed cameras on major roads to detect and punish overspeeding motorists without involving the traffic police.
Retraining drivers and regularly inspecting commercial vehicles is another programme the NTSA is running to enhance road safety.
The government is also expanding busy highways, such as the Nairobi-Nakuru lane, from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway to minimise accidents, delays, and other inconveniences.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this aritcle with details on what is Kenya doing to reduce road accidents.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
