The bus was headed to the Santuario de las Lajas pilgrimage site, just four miles from the Ecuadorian border.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Tangua, Ipiales, and Pasto.
Law enforcement thinks the crash might be due to mechanical failure and speeding, The Sun reported. But Bernama said Narino Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar reckoned the driver’s choice to skip tolls by taking an alternate route could be to blame.
“We regret this early 2025 tragedy. Many drivers take shortcuts to dodge tolls,” Escobar said.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also offered his condolences. “We’ve got a road disaster in Narino,” he said. “A private tour bus crashed, with 11 dead so far. Police are handling the emergency.”