Three women were killed and 54 people were injured Wednesday when a bus overturned in Horquetas District, Sarapiquí Canton, in Heredia Province.

According to the Red Cross, the crash was reported at 7:55 a.m. The bus was traveling along National Route 4 toward La Fortuna District, in San Carlos Canton, Alajuela Province.

The bus was reportedly carrying a group of older adults on a tour to La Fortuna.

For reasons still under investigation by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), the driver lost control of the bus, crossed into the opposite lane and overturned onto its right side.

Rescue personnel said the force of the crash may have thrown passengers seated on the left side of the bus onto those seated on the right side when the vehicle overturned.

Both bus doors were located on the right side of the vehicle and became inaccessible after the crash, making it difficult for passengers to escape.

Approximately 70 rescue workers responded to the emergency, including doctors, nurses, emergency responders and specialists trained in extricating people from disaster scenes. The response involved 30 ambulances and units from the Fire Department.

The rescue operation lasted approximately four hours and included rescuing survivors and recovering the bodies of those killed in the crash.


During the operation, traffic police cordoned off the area and diverted traffic from Route 4 to Route 32, which connects Sarapiquí District with San José Province and Limón Province.

The Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) identified the three victims. Two women, identified by the surnames Brenes, 62, and Ruiz, 70, died at the scene.

The third victim, a 69-year-old woman identified by the surname Castro, died while being transported by ambulance to a public hospital in Guápiles Canton, Limón Province.


Approximately 36 people were transported by ambulance in urgent condition to several medical facilities, including the public clinic in Río Frío Canton; the public clinic in Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí Canton; San Vicente de Paúl Hospital in Heredia Province; the public hospital in San Carlos Canton, Alajuela Province; and the public hospital in Guápiles Canton, Limón Province.


Another 15 passengers received medical attention at the scene and did not require transportation to a medical facility.


MOPT traffic police officers remained at the scene collecting evidence as part of an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal crash.

According to the MOPT's latest report, Costa Rica recorded 425 road fatalities from January through August. Motorcyclists accounted for 58% of those deaths, making them the largest group among traffic fatalities.

MOPT is the government agency responsible for planning and managing Costa Rica's roads, airports and maritime ports, as well as overseeing public transportation regulations.

The OIJ operates under the Supreme Court of Justice and is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and exercising police authority nationwide.

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