Popayán: A tragic accident during a public show in Popayán has left three people dead and at least 38 others injured after a monster truck ploughed into a crowd.
According to authorities in the Cauca region, the incident is believed to have been caused by brake failure, leading the driver to lose control of the vehicle during the show. Footage circulating online shows the truck crashing through a safety barrier before veering into spectators, triggering panic as people scrambled to escape. The vehicle eventually came to a halt after colliding with an electricity pole.
Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting dozens of injured individuals to nearby hospitals. Several victims are reported to be in serious condition. Popayán Mayor Juan Carlos Muñoz Bravo confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Lamentamos profundamente el accidente ocurrido en la tarde de hoy, domingo, en el sector del Boulevard Rose, que ha dejado preliminarmente 37 personas heridas y al menos 2 fallecidas. Desde nuestra Secretaría @saludcauca hemos dispuesto toda nuestra capacidad institucional y la… https://t.co/BtjQs166XN
— OCTAVIO GUZMÁN (@OctavioGuzmanGu) May 3, 2026
Muñoz Bravo stated that, “These events, which should never have happened, will be clarified with total responsibility and transparency.” Meanwhile, Cauca Governor Octavio Guzmán expressed condolences to the victims and their families. Guzmán remarked that, “We stand in solidarity with those affected by this tragic accident, as well as with the people of our capital city, Popayán.”
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols for public events as part of the investigation. Authorities have urged the public to rely on official updates as investigations continue, while emergency teams remain focused on supporting the injured and their families in Popayán.
Officials also indicated that stricter safety measures and oversight for large-scale public events will be considered to prevent similar tragedies in the future, as the community mourns the loss of lives in this devastating incident.
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