10 Injured in Violent Bus Collision in Downtown Medellín
A severe traffic accident involving two public transit buses left at least 10 people injured in downtown Medellín on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The collision, which occurred in the Palacé sector, triggered a massive emergency response and paralyzed traffic in one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs.
The crash took place at the intersection of Carrera 50 and Calle 35, near the Perpetuo Socorro neighborhood in Comuna 10 (La Candelaria). According to reports, the impact happened in the vicinity of the Madecentro establishment, where the force of the collision immediately alerted nearby workers and pedestrians, who contacted emergency services.
The magnitude of the impact left one of the drivers pinned inside the wreckage of his vehicle. The Medellín Fire Department deployed two crews to the scene, where they performed complex vehicular extraction maneuvers to free the man from the twisted metal of the cabin.
Following stabilization by pre-hospital care (APH) teams, the driver was rushed to a clinic in the El Poblado district. Medical officials have kept his prognosis under reserve due to the critical nature of his injuries.
Mayor Federico Gutiérrez confirmed the details of the emergency via social media, stating that the city’s firefighting crews and other response agencies coordinated the care of the 10 injured individuals and the rescue of the trapped driver.
Authorities identified the vehicles involved as buses from the Sotramed and Circular 302 companies. While the investigation is ongoing, early reports suggest the collision may have been caused by the vehicles running a red light.
The incident caused significant congestion throughout the sector as emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage and provide medical assistance. This accident highlights the persistent safety risks associated with high-traffic transit corridors in Medellín’s urban center.
