Four people died this Thursday when a car crash sparked a fire on a road near a lithium plant, not far from the Uyuni area known for its vast salt flats. Police in Bolivia reported that the site sits beside one of the nation’s most significant elemental reserves and is a major draw for visitors exploring the country’s natural wonders.
The morning crash happened as a minibus engine lost power and control while approaching the Bolivian Lithium Deposits plant in the town of Llipi, located in the high-altitude Andean province of Potosí. Officials described the sequence: the vehicle veered off course due to excessive speed, overturned, struck a firewall, and erupted in flames. The occupants were unable to escape, according to statements from Alexander Vargas, who commands the Border Police in Uyuni. He confirmed that the collision claimed four lives, including the driver and three passengers aboard the minibuses.
Emergency responders and investigators reached the scene soon after, with police, prosecutors, and forensic officers collecting evidence and taking samples to determine whether alcohol or other substances played a role in the crash. The authorities stressed that a full legal process would follow as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Juan Carlos Oblitas, deputy section commander of the Potosí Police, noted that all four deceased were Bolivian citizens—two men and two women—and that the Public Ministry had been notified to determine if additional investigations were warranted. The police chief’s remarks emphasized the seriousness of the incident and the steps being taken to understand the factors behind it, including the possibility of mechanical failure, road conditions, or driver behavior contributing to the tragedy.
Vargas added that preliminary information indicated the travelers had been visiting the Uyuni salt flats and were returning to the town when the crash occurred. He urged operators who transport visitors to the salt flats to exercise heightened caution, especially during peak tourist periods and the rainy season when the desert terrain can become more challenging. He pointed to recent cases involving vehicles stuck in the salt desert after rains and urged drivers to assess road and weather conditions before setting out, aligning with safety advisories frequently issued to protect the large number of visitors drawn to the area each year.
Uyuni’s salt flat, a vast ancient seabed spanning more than 10,000 square kilometers, stands at the heart of one of Bolivia’s top tourist destinations and sits near a region known for immense lithium reserves. The salt flat is part of a broader landscape in the Potosí department, which borders Chile and Argentina. The region’s popularity as a travel hub continues to grow as more travelers seek out the stark beauty of the white desert, the surreal reflections after rain, and the proximity to the country’s mineral resources that shape its economic story. Analysts note that while tourism provides economic benefits, it also requires strong safety measures, clear traffic rules, and ongoing policing to reduce preventable incidents. Data on road safety in Bolivia show that accidents, often caused by human error, claim a sizable number of lives and injuries each year, underscoring the need for continuous safety improvements and public awareness campaigns (Bolivian Road Safety Authority, 2024).