A bus carrying the band of Kbeto Zuleta, a Colombian folk-music star, left a bridge in northern Colombia on Monday, killing two musicians.
Kbeto Zuleta’s band was driving home to Valledupar after a Sunday night show when its bus left a river bridge. It happened early on Monday, 26 October 2026, near Bosconia, a town in Colombia’s Cesar department.
Kbeto Zuleta is the son of Poncho Zuleta, a veteran musician of vallenato. Vallenato is the accordion-led folk music of Colombia’s Caribbean region.
Two band members died and about 20 people were hurt, according to early counts. For readers in the United States, the story concerns a well-known Colombian musical family and the safety of touring bands on the road.
- What: Two band members died when the bus hit a bridge rail over the Río Ariguaní.
- Hurt: About 20 people were injured; Kbeto Zuleta was reported hurt, with no official medical report.
- Cause: Under investigation, with nothing confirmed so far.
- Status: As of 26 October 2026, 14:00 GMT
What We Know
The bus came off the road on the bridge over the Río Ariguaní. The bridge links El Difícil, in Magdalena department, with Bosconia, in neighbouring Cesar.
According to early accounts, the bus struck the bridge railing and then fell or slid partly into the river. The cause is under investigation, and nothing has been confirmed.
The group was returning to Valledupar, the capital of Cesar and a stronghold of vallenato. Reports differ on which town hosted Sunday’s show, so we do not name it.
Two band members died: Geovanny Lobo, a choir singer, and Harold Santana, a guitarist. The group’s manager, Esteban Bolaño, confirmed their identities.
Jorge Patiño, the mayor of Bosconia, confirmed the two deaths on Monday. He said about 20 people were injured.
Some of the injured are in serious condition. Sound technician Diomar Torrado needs treatment at a more specialised hospital, according to local reports.
The first victims were taken to medical facilities in Bosconia. Local residents rushed to the river and helped passengers get out of the vehicle.
The governor’s office of Cesar sent its condolences to Kbeto Zuleta, his group and their families. It expressed solidarity with the whole vallenato community.
What Is Not Known
Kbeto Zuleta was reported injured and under medical care in Bosconia. No official medical report has been issued, and we will not guess at his injuries.
An early report had said his presence on board was not yet confirmed. Later accounts place him in the bus.
The cause of the crash is also unknown. Nothing has been confirmed about speed, road conditions or the mechanical state of the bus.
The number of people on board has not been made public. The casualty figures are early counts and may be revised as hospitals update them.
Reports also differ on the band’s last show and the exact road section. We have no official list of the injured, so we name no one beyond those identified publicly.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
Most readers in the United States will not be directly affected. Fans of vallenato and of the Zuleta family will want to follow the news.
Road safety on long overnight drives is a concern for any traveller. Until investigators report, it would be wrong to draw conclusions about the road, the operator or the driver.
The band has lost two colleagues. Whether it will change its upcoming shows has not been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Kbeto Zuleta’s band?
Early on 26 October 2026, the group’s bus left the road on a bridge over the Río Ariguaní in northern Colombia. Two band members died and about 20 people were hurt, according to early counts.
Who died in the bus crash?
Geovanny Lobo, a choir singer, and Harold Santana, a guitarist, died. The band’s manager, Esteban Bolaño, confirmed their identities.
Is Kbeto Zuleta safe?
He was reported injured and under medical care in Bosconia. No official medical report has been issued, so his condition is not confirmed.
What caused the crash?
The cause is under investigation, and nothing has been confirmed. According to early accounts, the bus hit the bridge railing and partly went into the river.
Sources: statements by Bosconia Mayor Jorge Patiño, the Cesar governor’s office and the band’s management, as relayed by local Colombian outlets
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief