According to Colombia’s Minister of Transport, María Constanza García Alicastro, the tragic accident happened in the municipality of Tangua on a “road that connects Pasto with Ipiales” in the early morning hours.

So far, the authorities have reported 13 people dead, 28 injured, and 1 unharmed,” she shared on X (formerly Twitter) “My deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy and I express my full solidarity on behalf of the national government in these difficult times.”

Local media outlet NTN24 also reported that 42 people were on the bus when it crashed on the Pasto-Rumichaca highway. Sources stated that the vehicle was driving on a stretch of road with “complicated curves” when it crashed.

The bus was traveling to the pilgrimage site Santuario de las Lajas, which is four miles from the Ecuadorian border.

The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Tangua, Ipiales, and the city of Pasto.

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The Sun further reported that law enforcement believed the accident was a result of mechanical failure and excessive speeding.