Bus plunges off Andes highway in Peru, killing 18

A tragic bus accident in the Andes Mountains of Peru has left at least 18 people dead and 48 others injured, according to officials.

The incident occurred when a double-decker bus travelling from the capital Lima to the Amazon region veered off the road and plunged down a slope in the mountainous district of Palca, located in the Junín region, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

The bus, operated by the company “Expreso Molina Líder Internacional,” overturned while navigating the high-altitude terrain. Junín’s regional health director, Clifor Curipaco, confirmed the death toll and the number of injured during a briefing with the press. Authorities have not yet determined the precise cause of the accident and say an investigation is underway.

Footage aired by local television stations showed the wreckage of the bus torn in two as firefighters and police worked at the scene to extract and assist the injured passengers.

This incident adds to a series of deadly road accidents in Peru this year. On January 3, another bus crash claimed the lives of six people and left 32 injured after the vehicle fell into a river.

A report conducted by the Attorney General’s Office identified reckless driving and excessive speeding as the leading causes of road accidents in Peru. Despite the high number of fatalities, oversight of road transport remains limited. Emergency response is often delayed and poorly coordinated, exacerbating the consequences of such accidents.

According to Peru’s official Death Information System, an estimated 3,173 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2024, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety and emergency preparedness in the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova