37 dead, 24 injured as bus plunges into Ravine in Southern Peru

37 Dead, 24 Injured as Bus Plunges Into Ravine in Southern Peru

At least 37 people have been confirmed dead and 24 others injured after a double-decker bus plunged into a 200-meter ravine following a collision with a pickup truck in southern Peru early Wednesday.

The tragic crash occurred at dawn along the Panamericana Sur highway in the Arequipa region — one of the country’s deadliest accidents in recent years. The route, which connects Peru to neighboring Chile, is known for its winding curves and treacherous mountain terrain.

Walther Oporto, regional health manager of Arequipa, told AFP that the toll could rise as several victims sustained critical injuries.

The ill-fated bus, operated by the Llamosas transport company, had departed from Chala in Caraveli province on Tuesday night and was en route to Arequipa, Peru’s second-largest city, with more than 60 passengers on board.

According to local media, the bus collided head-on with a pickup truck on a sharp curve before careening into the ravine and coming to rest on a riverbank.

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Firefighters and police officers battled difficult terrain to rescue survivors and recover bodies. “This accident has brought grief to many families. Among the injured are elderly people and children,” said fire department spokesman Jack Paez in an interview with TV Peru.

Heart-wrenching images from the scene showed a priest praying beside rows of covered bodies on the riverbank as emergency crews worked nearby.

Authorities confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck survived the crash and has been detained for questioning. “The necessary procedures will be carried out to determine his responsibility in the accident,” the Arequipa prosecutor’s office said in a statement. The bus driver was among those killed, according to the Llamosas company.

Peru’s Ministry of the Interior said at least two dozen police officers joined firefighters in evacuation and recovery operations.

Deadly road accidents are common in Peru, often attributed to speeding, reckless driving, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. The country’s mountainous geography further heightens the risk of such tragedies.

In February 2018, a similar accident near the same area claimed 44 lives when another bus plunged into a river. Official data shows that 3,173 people died in road accidents across Peru last year alone.

37 dead, 24 injured as bus plunges into Ravine in Southern Peru