Arequipa, Peru: At least 37 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after a bus plunged into a deep ravine in the mountainous Arequipa region of southern Peru.
The accident, one of the deadliest in recent years in Latin America, has shocked the nation and raised concerns about road safety in the country’s rugged terrain.
Walther Oporto, Arequipa’s regional health chief, said that 36 passengers died at the scene while another person succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Among the injured are an eight-month-old baby and two other children, highlighting the human tragedy of the incident. Twenty-six people are currently being treated for injuries, with three in serious condition, according to local authorities.
The bus, operated by the company Llamosas, was traveling from the coastal town of Chala to Arequipa when it collided with a van on the highway. The impact caused the bus to careen off the road and tumble approximately 200 meters into a ravine. The mountainous terrain and steep drop made the rescue operation challenging for emergency responders.
Photos released by the Arequipa government show the bus overturned at the bottom of the ravine, surrounded by scattered car parts and passenger belongings. Firefighters and rescue teams were on site to assist survivors, recover the victims, and secure the accident area.
The bus company has not yet commented on the cause of the crash, and authorities are investigating whether speeding, mechanical failure, or road conditions contributed to the disaster.
Bus accidents in Peru and other parts of Latin America have historically been a serious concern due to mountainous roads, heavy traffic, and aging vehicles. This latest tragedy has sparked renewed calls for stricter safety regulations, better infrastructure, and more rigorous monitoring of passenger transport services.
Authorities continue to assist the injured and support the families of the victims. The region remains in mourning as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, and investigations into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
