In a tragic incident in Peru, a bus plummeted down a 650-foot slope, resulting in the death of at least 25 people and injuring 17 others. The accident happened on the Los Libertadores highway in the Andean region of Ayacucho on July 16, 2024, when the bus skidded off the road.
The head of the highway protection division, Jhonny Rolando Valderrama, reported that the bus, operated by Turismo Molina Union SAC, veered off the road and tumbled down the slope around dawn. The ground transport superintendent has started investigating the accident and the practices of the company.
“Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of tragic accidents on the Los Libertadores highway,” Valderrama informed the press. He added that the area’s rugged terrain made it difficult for emergency services to reach the accident site, subsequently delaying the rescue operations.
The bus was en route from Lima to Ayacucho when the accident occurred. Police officials reported that there were 42 passengers on board, all of whom have been accounted for. Rescue teams had to overcome the challenges posed by the remote location and rugged landscape. The injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Interior Ministry of Peru confirmed the incident via social media, indicating that search and rescue operations were ongoing. Despite the hazardous conditions of the accident site and the many buses navigating the precarious mountain roads, efforts to retrieve bodies from the wreckage were still underway by early afternoon.
Peru has a history of fatal bus accidents, especially in mountainous areas. In April 2024, a similar incident occurred in the northern Cajamarca region, where a bus fell into a river, killing 25 people. Additionally, a bus accident in the Anco region in September of the previous year claimed 24 lives.
Earlier in the year, a bus operated by Q’orianka Tours plunged into a ravine in northern Peru, killing 25 people. The prosecutor’s office attributed the accident to reckless driving and speeding, which are commonly recognized causes of such incidents.
According to data, human factors such as driver fatigue and incompetence account for about 70% of road accidents in Peru. Poorly maintained roads, lack of adequate traffic signs, and challenging topography further increase the risk of accidents.
The Transport Minister, Raul Perez, offered his condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to enhance road safety measures. “We must ensure that these roads are safer for everyone,” Perez stated. “We cannot continue to see such devastating loss of life on our highways.”
Locals have expressed their dissatisfaction with the poor condition of the roads. Juan Ayquipa, a relative of one of the victims, criticized the government for not maintaining the roads. “All the roads are full of holes, and the government does nothing to fix them,” said Ayquipa.
The investigation into Turismo Molina Union SAC could reveal any potential negligence or violation of safety standards. Representatives of the company have yet to respond to requests for comment.