At least 32 children were burnt to death and 18 others were injured when a bus carrying them caught fire in north Colombia’s Magdalena province, authorities said on Monday.
Magdalena Police Chief, Adan Leon told newsmen in Bogota that the incident happened on Sunday.
“It is the deadliest road accident involving children in Colombia’s history.
“Firefighters recovered 32 bodies believed to be children from the bus but horrific burns made their identification difficult,
“The 18 injured children have been sent to three hospitals nearby,’’ Adan stressed.
Report says the bus departed on Sunday noon from a church in the city of Fundacion, about 750 km north of the capital of Bogota, to take the children home from church events.
Witnesses said the bus had travelled about four blocks when it suddenly caught fire and exploded.
Some older children managed to climb from the windows but the younger ones were trapped and burned to death.
The police said investigations into the cause of the tragedy were underway.
It was speculated the accident was related to fuel smuggling or misconduct by the driver.
A lot of Colombians smuggle cheap gasoline from Venezuela and transport it hidden in private cars and buses.
Major Eduardo Velez, coordinator of Magdalena province emergency response corps, said there was a canister of gasoline inside the vehicle and the fire spread very fast.
He said that the fire started after the driver attempted to start the malfunctioning bus by pouring fuel into the engine, which he accessed through the floor of the cabin.
Eduardo said that the driver escaped unharmed and was being questioned by police.
Colombian President, Juan Santos went to Fundacion to review rescue efforts and console the families of the victims.
“The entire country is in mourning for the death of these children,’’ Santos said upon arriving in Fundacion, accompanied by his wife.