A tragic accident at a monster truck exhibition in southern Colombia has left three people dead and at least 38 others injured after the vehicle lost control and crashed into a gathered crowd on Sunday. The incident unfolded in Popayán, the capital city of Colombia’s Cauca province, when the truck’s braking system reportedly failed mid-show, according to initial law enforcement assessments.
Graphic footage circulating from the event captures the moment the out-of-control truck smashed through a protective barrier separating the vehicle from spectators. After barreling into the standing crowd, the truck only came to a halt after colliding with a nearby electricity pole, leaving panicked attendees scrambling for safety.
Local official reports, shared by Colombian newspaper El Espectador, confirm that a 10-year-old girl was among those killed at the scene of the crash. Popayán’s police commander Colonel Julián Castañeda told local outlet El Tiempo that preliminary investigations point to a mechanical failure as the root cause of the disaster. “The vehicle accelerated, it couldn’t brake, and the driver is in stable condition,” Castañeda confirmed in his statement to press.
Local and regional leaders have moved quickly to respond to the tragedy, announcing a full, transparent probe into the incident to determine what led to the crash and hold any responsible parties accountable. “These events, which should never have happened, will be clarified with total responsibility and transparency,” said Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo, mayor of Popayán, in an official address following the accident.
Regional governor Octavio Guzmán also extended public condolences to grieving families and the community of Popayán. “We express our solidarity with the families of those affected by this tragic accident, as well as with our capital city, Popayán,” Guzmán said. As of the latest updates, authorities have not released additional details on the condition of the injured, and the formal investigation remains ongoing.