At least 11 people lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries when an interprovincial bus crashed into a river in southern Ecuador. The tragic incident occurred near the El Chorro bridge on the Cuenca-Molleturo road, where the bus veered off the road, broke through guardrails, and plunged into a shallow river. Images shared on social media revealed that the vehicle caught fire and was completely destroyed.
Rescue teams, including firefighters, the Red Cross, and health authorities, rushed to the scene to aid the injured and retrieve bodies. Cuenca Fire Chief Sixto Heras mentioned that some victims were found inside the bus, while others were discovered in the river, with several individuals in critical condition. Authorities fear the death toll may increase as recovery operations progress, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.
The road has been closed to facilitate ongoing rescue efforts. Traffic accidents, often attributed to speeding and driver error, are a significant cause of fatalities in Ecuador. In a separate incident on November 16, 2025, a bus crash in Simiatug claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals and left 10 others injured. The bus was traveling between Simiatug and Ambato on an inter-provincial route, as reported by the attorney general’s office.
Ecuador faces a high rate of road accidents due to factors such as careless driving, speeding, and poorly maintained vehicles, resulting in numerous fatalities, including those of British nationals. Road conditions in the country vary, contributing to the challenges of road safety. Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) indicated a slight decrease in traffic accidents during the first three months of 2025, with human error being a primary cause. Despite the reduction in incidents, 565 fatalities were reported between January and March, with a death rate of 11.87 per 100 registered accidents, predominantly occurring in urban areas.
