According to reports in Bolivia, eight Israeli travelers were injured last Thursday in a car accident in the area of the Salar de Uyuni salt desert, which is considered a major attraction in the country.
The travelers were evacuated to a medical center in La Paz after significant delays due to roadblocks in the area, are now in stable condition and are expected to be released from the hospital in the coming hours.
According to reports, the incident began when the vehicle the travelers were traveling in was involved in an accident in the harsh desert terrain of Uyuni. Despite the need for urgent medical treatment, their evacuation ran into quite a few problems, mainly due to roadblocks caused by local protesters cheering against the government and preventing the ambulances from reaching the scene of the incident. In the end, the travelers were rescued from the area by the intervention of local forces and transferred to a meeting point in the area of ”La Huachaca”, from where they were transferred to the capital La Paz.
The attending physician at the La Paz Medical Center updated the condition of the eight and noted that the staff worked to stabilize them immediately upon their arrival. “Eight patients arrived at the medical center, of which three have already been released after it was found that their injuries are not serious,” explained the doctor.
According to him, the rest of the wounded who remained hospitalized suffer from various orthopedic injuries: “Their medical conditions include bone problems, soft tissue injuries, torn ligaments and muscle injuries. One of the patients also suffered a head injury (TEC), but his condition is now stable after undergoing the necessary additional tests. We hope they can be released soon and continue their trip.”
As mentioned, the Salar de Uyuni is considered one of the mandatory destinations for travelers, including Israelis, on the route of South America. This is the largest salt desert in the world, covering more than 10,000 square kilometers at a height of about 3,650 meters above sea level.
Despite the spectacular sights, tourism in the area is considered dangerous. The conditions in the field are characterized by driving on bumpy dirt roads, sometimes without clear markings, and by using off-road vehicles that are not always properly maintained. In addition, the unstable political situation in Bolivia often leads to sudden roadblocks, making any medical event much more complex and dangerous.