The deadly road accident shook Peru as a double-decker bus crashed on a winding mountain highway.
The bus was en route from Lima to the Amazon region when it veered off the road in the Palca district of Junín. It plunged down a steep slope in the Andes Mountains, according to Junín’s health director, Clifor Curipaco.
Disturbing video footage aired on local television showed the bus ripped in half, with rescue teams of firefighters and police frantically pulling out the injured from the wreckage.
Officials are still unsure what caused the horrific incident, but initial reports suggest the accident could be linked to driver error or excessive speed — factors often behind such disasters in Peru.
This isn’t an isolated tragedy. On January 3, a similar crash saw a bus fall into a river, claiming six lives and injuring 32 others.
According to a study by the Attorney General’s Office, most road accidents in Peru stem from driver recklessness and speeding. The lack of strict oversight on road transport and the painfully slow emergency response system make the problem even worse.
In 2024 alone, a staggering 3,173 people died in traffic-related incidents, as per Peru’s official Death Information System data.
The bus tragedy underscores a dangerous pattern in Peru’s road infrastructure and safety enforcement. With mounting fatalities and poor emergency preparedness, such disasters are likely to continue unless authorities act decisively. Reforms in monitoring driver behavior and investing in rapid emergency response could be key to preventing further loss of life on Peruvian roads.
