At least 17 people died and 31 were injured on Monday (January 18) after the bus they were travelling in plunged 50 metres (164 feet) down a cliff in central Peru.
According to local media, the bus was carrying about 50 passengers from Huancayo to Satipo, located in the province of Chanchamayo within the Junin region, when it tumbled off the highway over the San Felix bridge.
The bus careened 50 metres (164 feet) down the cliff toward the Tarma River before overturning, crushing most of the victims.
The rescue efforts were complicated by the difficulty emergency workers had in accessing the crash site.
The injured were taken to a local hospital, where eight were initially reported to be in critical condition. One victim is reportedly a Chinese national, according to local media.
Bus accidents are common in Peru, where vehicle and highway maintenance is poor and drivers often have inadequate training. (Reuters)
