At least 37 people were killed and injured after a bus plunged into a ravine in Peru.
The incident occurred along the Pan-American Highway connecting Peru and Chile in the southern region of Arequipa, where the bus plunged into a ravine more than 200m (650ft) deep.
According to reports, the bus was carrying about 60 passengers when it collided with a pickup truck, causing it to fall into the Ocoña River. The two drivers were rescued.
A photo from the scene of the incident shows the damaged bus at the bottom of a steep cliff, its windows shattered and the entire body of the bus almost completely destroyed.
One of the reasons for the incident is the lack of proper road conditions, excessive speed, and lack of safety signage in the area, which is why these types of incidents are said to be frequent, especially at night.
The Llamosas company operates the bus, which has a route to Chala, Caraveli, on its way to Arequipa.
The driver of the pickup truck is currently in custody while the investigation is still ongoing, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Peru.
It is worth noting that in 2022, more than 3,300 people died in traffic accidents in Peru. The Pan-American Highway is one of the longest roads in the world with an area of 48,000km.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News