At least 20 people died and another number not yet specified was injured this Saturday when the bus they were traveling in fell off a cliff in the Piura region, in northern Peru, official sources and local media reported.
The accident occurred around 3:00 a.m. (8:00 GMT) on a section of the highway that connects the towns of El Alto-Los Órganos with the city of Talara, more than 1,100 kilometers north of Lima, the official Andina agency reported. .
The RPP station specified that it occurred at kilometer 121 of the North Pan-American highway and that the bus was carrying 60 passengers.
According to information from some media, the number of deceased may reach 25, although official confirmation from the authorities is still awaited, while the injured have been transferred to medical centers in the towns of El Alto and Máncora, and to a clinic in Talara. .
The newspaper El Regional de Piura added that agents from the National Police, municipal police and firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident to help the injured.
The bus was heading towards the city of Tumbes, on the border with Ecuador, and the Police indicated that they are investigating the causes of the accident, which occurred in an area with a very steep slope.
The Superintendence of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Merchandise (Sutran) expressed "its condolences and solidarity with the affected families."
The first inquiries, he said, indicate that the bus, owned by the company Q'orianka Tours Águila Dorada, had authorization to transport people, a technical inspection certificate and mandatory traffic accident insurance.
These types of accidents in Peru are due, in many cases, to the poor condition of the roads and the vehicle fleet, as well as the rugged geography and the recklessness of the drivers.
