On July 16, 2024, a tragic bus accident in Peru resulted in the death of at least 25 individuals, while 17 others were left injured. The bus veered off the Los Libertadores highway and plummeted down a slope that was approximately 650 feet high in the Andean region of Ayacucho.
Head of the highway protection division, Jhonny Rolando Valderrama, disclosed that the accident took place around dawn. The bus, which was operated by Turismo Molina Union SAC, capsized and descended down the slope. An investigation into the crash and the company’s practices was started by the ground transport superintendent.
Valderrama addressed the media, saying, “Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of tragic accidents on the Los Libertadores highway.” The challenging terrain in the area made it difficult for emergency services to promptly reach the accident site, causing a delay in the rescue operations.
The bus was en route from Lima to Ayacucho at the time of the accident. As per police reports, a total of 42 passengers were aboard the bus, and all have been accounted for. The remote location and the rough landscape presented significant challenges for the rescue teams. The injured passengers were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
The Interior Ministry of Peru confirmed the incident on social media, stating that search and rescue operations were ongoing. Recovery of bodies from the wreckage was still in progress by early afternoon. The accident site is notorious for its dangerous conditions, with numerous buses navigating the precarious mountain roads.
Bus accidents in Peru, especially in mountainous regions, are sadly not infrequent. In April 2024, a similar incident took place in the northern region of Cajamarca, where 25 people lost their lives after a bus fell into a river. Another accident in the Anco region in the previous September resulted in 24 fatalities.
Earlier in January, a Q’orianka Tours bus fell into a ravine in northern Peru, leading to the death of 25 individuals. The prosecutor’s office cited reckless driving and over-speeding as the primary reasons behind the accident.
According to data, around 70% of road accidents in Peru can be attributed to human factors such as driver fatigue and incompetence. Poorly maintained roads, the absence of adequate traffic signs, and the country’s challenging topography further increase the risk of accidents.
Raul Perez, the Transport Minister, extended his condolences to the families of the victims and committed to enhancing road safety measures.
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, saying, “All the roads are full of holes, and the government does nothing to fix them.”
The ongoing investigation into Turismo Molina Union SAC is expected to reveal any potential negligence or safety standard violations. The company’s representatives have yet to issue a response to the requests for comment.
