A devastating bus crash in the mountainous Arequipa region of Peru has resulted in the deaths of at least 37 people. The accident occurred early Wednesday morning when the bus collided with a pickup truck and subsequently plunged approximately 200 meters (650 feet) into a ravine.
Thirty-six people died instantly at the scene, and one more later succumbed to injuries in the hospital, bringing the confirmed death toll to 37. About 20 other passengers, out of the approximately 60 people on board, were injured.
The tragedy occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The bus was traveling from a mining district toward the city of Arequipa when the collision happened, causing it to veer off the highway.
Authorities reported that the pickup truck driver involved in the collision tested positive for alcohol. Photos from the site showed the bus lying on its side amidst rocky terrain, highlighting the severity of the plunge.
A regional health manager noted that this is not the first major tragedy in the specific area, recalling a previous crash years ago at the same spot that killed 50 people.
Peru faces a high rate of road fatalities attributed to reckless driving and challenging road conditions. The country recorded over 3,000 traffic accident deaths last year. This incident follows similar fatal bus accidents in July, August, and January of this year.
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