At least 17 people were killed and 20 others injured when a school bus carrying students and adults crashed off a cliff in northern Colombia.
The governor of Antioquia, Andres Julian, said on X (formerly Twitter) that the bus was traveling from the Caribbean town of Tolu to Medellín after a graduation trip for students of Liceo Antioqueño High School. The students had been celebrating their graduation on the beach, he added. “It’s very hard news for the entire community during this time of December,” he said.
The accident occurred at around 5:40 a.m. on a road connecting Remedios and Zaragoza, in the El Chispero area. Initial reports indicate the bus, carrying 45 passengers, rolled approximately 80 metres down a ravine. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Among the fatalities was the bus driver, Johnatan Taborda Cocacolo, who worked for the tourist transportation company Precultur. Members of the Antioquia tourism network expressed their condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
The mayor of Segovia, Edwin Castañeda, reported that the injured, aged between 16 and 27, were taken to hospitals in Segovia and Remedios. Sixteen of the injured were admitted to San Vicente de Paúl Hospital in Remedios, including four adults and twelve teenagers.
The high school clarified that the trip was not an official school activity and had been organised directly by the students. Following the accident, Liceo Antioqueño issued a statement on social media expressing condolences to the families of the victims and offering support to the graduating class of 2025. The school also changed its profile picture to a black ribbon in mourning.
The National Road Safety Agency said in a press release that authorities are investigating the crash to determine its cause and confirm the exact number of fatalities and injuries. The agency emphasised the importance of responsible and safe road behavior, reminding drivers to follow traffic laws to prevent tragedies that deeply affect Colombian families.
