Overview
- The bus on the Ambato–Simiatug route tumbled roughly 150 meters off a rural Andean road near Simiatug around midday Sunday in Bolívar province, about 217 kilometers south of Quito.
- Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretariat reported a preliminary toll of 12 dead and 10 injured, while firefighters said the final number of wounded is still being assessed.
- The vehicle has been identified as belonging to Cooperativa Ambateñita, and a Guaranda fire officer told AP that early reports indicated it was carrying excess passengers.
- Local residents conducted the first rescues due to the remote terrain before emergency crews from Guaranda reached the ravine.
- Prosecutors and emergency services have launched an investigation, with the crash drawing attention to recurring deadly bus accidents and occurring on the day of a nationwide referendum.