A devastating bus accident in central Peru has claimed the lives of at least 33 people and left nearly 20 others injured, after a passenger coach veered off a mountain highway and plunged into a deep ravine on its way to the capital, Lima.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when a bus operated by León Express was traveling from the city of Huánuco, located in Peru’s central jungle region, toward Lima. According to authorities, the vehicle crashed at kilometer 72 of the Central Highway, one of the country’s most important but dangerous transportation routes.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus first struck a hillside before losing control and tumbling into a ravine more than 100 meters deep. The wreckage came to rest just a few meters from the Rímac River, a detail that underscores how close the disaster came to becoming even more catastrophic.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Rescue workers, police, and firefighters faced extremely difficult conditions as they descended the steep terrain to reach survivors and recover victims. Twisted metal, shattered windows, and scattered belongings painted a grim picture of the violence of the impact.
At first, the National Police confirmed at least 17 fatalities, but as rescue operations continued throughout the day and more bodies were recovered from the wreckage, the toll steadily rose. By the afternoon, authorities announced that the number of dead had climbed to 33.
Colonel Manuel Lozana, head of the Highway Police, confirmed the updated figure and stated that several injured passengers were transported to hospitals in nearby towns and in Lima. Some remain in critical condition, suffering from severe trauma, fractures, and internal injuries.
“This is one of the worst traffic accidents we have seen this year,” Lozana said in a briefing. “The terrain, the depth of the ravine, and the force of the impact made rescue efforts extremely challenging.”
Families of passengers began arriving near the crash site and hospitals throughout the day, desperately seeking information about loved ones. Many were seen in tears, clutching photographs and documents, hoping for news amid the confusion.
The Central Highway is known for its narrow lanes, sharp curves, and steep drops, particularly in mountainous areas. Accidents are not uncommon, especially during nighttime travel when visibility is limited and drivers often contend with fog, rain, or fatigue.
While the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, authorities are examining several possibilities, including mechanical failure, excessive speed, driver exhaustion, or road conditions. The bus’s black box data, if available, may provide further insight into what happened in the moments before the vehicle lost control.
The Peruvian government has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged support for medical care and recovery efforts. Transportation officials have also renewed calls for stricter safety inspections, improved highway infrastructure, and tighter enforcement of regulations for long-distance bus operators.
For now, the nation mourns.
What began as a routine overnight journey ended in unimaginable loss, leaving dozens of families grieving and a country once again confronting the deadly risks that persist on its roads. As investigations continue, many hope the tragedy will prompt meaningful reforms—so that fewer lives are lost on highways meant to connect communities, not tear them apart.