A fatal bus accident in Peru resulted in the death of at least 25 individuals and injury to 17 others. On the morning of July 16, 2024, a bus veered off the Los Libertadores highway and plunged down a slope that was approximately 650 feet high, in the Andean region of Ayacucho.

The head of the highway protection division, Jhonny Rolando Valderrama, stated that the accident occurred around dawn. The bus, owned by Turismo Molina Union SAC, capsized and rolled down the incline.

An investigation into the crash and the company’s procedures has been initiated by the ground transport superintendent.

“Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of tragic accidents on the Los Libertadores highway,” Valderrama informed the press. The rough terrain of the area posed considerable difficulties for emergency services trying to reach the site, causing delays in rescue efforts.

The ill-fated bus was en route from Lima to Ayacucho when the accident took place. Police officials reported that 42 passengers were aboard the bus and all have been accounted for. The remoteness and ruggedness of the accident site presented significant obstacles to rescue teams. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

The Interior Ministry of Peru confirmed the incident on social media, announcing that search and rescue operations were ongoing. By early that afternoon, efforts to retrieve bodies from the wreckage were still in progress. The accident site is notorious for its hazardous conditions, with numerous buses navigating perilous mountain roads.

Fatal bus accidents are not uncommon in Peru, especially in its mountainous regions. In April 2024, a comparable incident happened in the northern Cajamarca region, where a bus plunged into a river, causing 25 fatalities. In the preceding September, another bus accident in the Anco region resulted in 24 deaths.

In a more recent incident, a bus from Q’orianka Tours dropped into a ravine in northern Peru in January, killing 25 people. The prosecutor’s office attributed the accident to reckless driving and speeding, common factors in such disasters.

According to data, human elements like driver fatigue and incompetence contribute to about 70% of road accidents in Peru. Additionally, the lack of adequate traffic signs, poor road maintenance, and the challenging topography increase the likelihood of accidents.

Raul Perez, the Transport Minister, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised to enhance road safety measures. “We must ensure that these roads are safer for everyone,” Perez stated to reporters. “We cannot continue to see such devastating loss of life on our highways.”

The local residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor condition of the roads. Juan Ayquipa, a relative of one of the victims, criticized the lack of maintenance. “All the roads are full of holes, and the government does nothing to fix them,” Ayquipa stated.

The ongoing investigation into Turismo Molina Union SAC is anticipated to reveal any potential negligence or breach of safety standards. Representatives of the company have not yet responded to requests for comment.