Tragedy struck in southeastern Peru when a devastating bus crash claimed the lives of at least 24 people and left 35 others injured, NDTV reported.

The incident unfolded in the early morning hours when a bus, en route between two Andean towns, careened off a rural mountain road and plunged into a harrowing 200-meter-deep ravine within the Huancavelica region.

The initial police report put the death toll at 20, but subsequent updates from the health ministry sadly raised it to 24, including two children.

The exact cause of this heart-wrenching accident remains under investigation, leaving local authorities searching for answers to understand what led to this catastrophic event, per BBC.

However, the mayor of a nearby town revealed a distressing detail: the road where the accident transpired had languished without repairs since it had been damaged in a landslide just a month prior.

The accident site, situated in the remote and high-altitude area known as Huaccoto in the Andes mountains, posed significant challenges for rescue and recovery efforts.

Firefighters from nearby towns and provinces rushed to the scene, joined by locals who arrived first.

The bushes where the bus had come to rest played a crucial role, preventing the vehicle from being swept away by the nearby river.

Residents bravely ventured into the treacherous terrain to search for survivors, and to their relief, they found some passengers still alive within the wreckage.

The subsequent hours were a race against time as police and firefighters worked tirelessly to extricate the survivors and provide them with medical attention.

The injured people were swiftly transported to the nearest hospitals for urgent treatment.

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Peru Bus Crash Investigation

The tragic accident has prompted an outpouring of grief and sorrow from the local community and beyond.

Peru's transportation authority, SUTRAN, expressed deep condolences to the victims and their families.

The agency pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident to determine its root causes and contributing factors.

Preliminary findings indicated that the bus had the requisite authorization to transport passengers, including mandatory accident insurance, and had successfully passed a vehicle inspection, according to Al Jazeera.

"At this time, SUTRAN is continuing its investigations, as established within the framework of its powers," the agency wrote, underscoring its "commitment to supervising compliance" with federal regulations.

The company responsible for the bus route, Molina Union, confirmed the death toll but did not provide additional details about the tragic incident.

Peru has witnessed several deadly accidents on its mountainous roadways, which often traverse the challenging terrain of the Andes Mountains.

Bus Crashes in Peru

The recent Peru bus crash is a stark reminder of the ongoing safety challenges on Peru's mountainous roadways.

The challenging terrain, characterized by steep slopes and treacherous curves, often leads to accidents attributed to speeding and dangerous overtaking.

Tragically, many such incidents have occurred, resulting in significant loss of lives, BNN noted.

Official statistics revealed that over 3,300 people died in traffic accidents in Peru in 2022 alone.

This sobering figure underscores the urgency of implementing stringent safety measures, particularly in regions like the Andes mountains, where the terrain poses unique challenges.

The lessons drawn from this tragic event are clear: maintaining well-maintained roads, enforcing strict adherence to speed limits, and ensuring effective vehicle maintenance are essential steps to prevent such accidents.

As pointed out by BNN, the safety of travelers should always be a top priority, and tragedies like this emphasize the critical importance of stringent safety standards on Peru's challenging roadways.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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