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Tragedy strikes during monster truck show in Popayán
Three people, including a 10-year-old girl, died and at least 38 others were injured when a monster truck lost control and plowed into spectators at an event in southern Colombia on Sunday.
Driver's brakes reportedly failed
Police suspect a mechanical failure caused the incident. Popayán police commander Col. Julián Castañeda told El Tiempo that the truck accelerated uncontrollably and the driver was unable to brake. The driver is reportedly in stable condition.
Footage of the crash shows the vehicle smashing through a barrier before crashing into the crowd and finally hitting an electricity pole.
Victims and immediate response
A city official confirmed to El Espectador that a 10-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the other two victims have not yet been released.
Emergency services transported the injured to local hospitals, though the severity of their conditions remains unclear.
Officials vow thorough investigation
Popayán Mayor Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo pledged a full and transparent inquiry into the accident, calling it an event that "should never have happened."
"These events, which should never have happened, will be clarified with total responsibility and transparency,"
Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, Mayor of Popayán
Regional leaders express condolences
Cauca Governor Octavio Guzmán extended sympathies to the victims' families and the people of Popayán.
"We express our solidarity with the families of those affected by this tragic accident, as well as with our capital city, Popayán."
Octavio Guzmán, Governor of Cauca
