Bus Crash in Peru Leaves 26 Dead, 14 Injured
At least 26 people have died and 14 others were hospitalized after a bus crashed into an abyss in southern Peru, according to police reports.
Initial Report Reveals 21 Fatalities
Authorities initially reported 21 dead in the accident, but a later report revealed that 26 people had lost their lives.
Investigation Underway
"We have in the latest report 26 people dead and 14 injured in the accident," Colonel Jhonny Valderrama, head of the police’s Highway Protection Division, told AFP.
Two Drivers Among Injured
The two drivers of the vehicle are among the injured, according to the Ayacucho Hospital, where most of the victims were taken.
Rescue Efforts Challenged
Police and fire brigades responded to the emergency despite the difficult access to the area and poor visibility due to fog. "This geographical area of Ayacucho is very difficult for rescue efforts," Colonel Valderrama commented earlier.
Cause of Accident Unknown
Police have not yet commented on the probable causes of the accident.
High Accident Rate in Peru
According to the Ministry of Transport, the vehicle that crashed on Tuesday passed through two checkpoints and was authorized to transport passengers. "It has already been verified that the vehicle had undergone technical inspection; it had mandatory traffic accident insurance (…), everything was valid, but an investigation will have to be carried out to determine what caused the accident," Minister Raúl Pérez told the press.
Road Accident Mortality Rate
In 2019, the road accident mortality rate in Peru was 14 people per 100,000 inhabitants, slightly below the average of 17 victims in the Americas, according to the World Bank. After tightening road controls, authorities managed to reduce the rate to 9.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants last year, but the bloodshed on the roads continues.
Causes of Accidents
Authorities link the high accident rate to three main causes: reckless driving, speeding, and drunkenness.
Source: AFP
