A bus carrying 35 passengers, all indigenous people of the Waorani ethnic group, overturned on Tuesday, September 3, in the suburbs of Quito, killing at least nine people and injuring several others, firefighters said. “The death toll has unfortunately risen to nine.”they said on their X account, after announcing the death of eight people. “Of the 26 people taken care of, ten were transported to health centers”they added. Conaie, the largest indigenous organization in Ecuador, reported on the same social network that the deceased belonged to the Waorani ethnic group and were from the Kawimeno community, located in the Amazonian province of Orellana (east).
According to local media, the indigenous people were traveling to Quito to ask the authorities to continue oil production in Block 43, located in Yasuni Park, whose closure was approved by a referendum held in August 2023. In this consultation, 59% of voters voted to end oil extraction in this area where several indigenous communities live, some of them in voluntary isolation. Some of these communities are in favor of continuing oil extraction in Block 43 because it represents a source of income for them.
The accident happened as the bus was traveling on a road linking the towns of Pifo and Papallacta, east of the capital. Road accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Ecuador.
