at least 24 dead by bus that fell into a ravine

( Spanish) — At least 24 people died after a bus covering the El Alto-Los Órganos route fell into a ravine in the Peruvian region of Piura, according to police personnel quoted by the official Andina news agency.

The Superintendence of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Goods (Sutran), the national entity that supervises these services, regretted the fact through a statement published on its official Twitter account.

“The entity deeply regrets the loss of valuable human lives and, as part of the actions ordered, we have initiated the corresponding verifications in order to proceed with the actions within the framework of our powers,” the document details.

The Sutran detailed that the bus belonged to the company Q’orianka Tours Águila Dorada EIRL, which -according to the first investigations- had the vehicle technical inspection certificate and compulsory traffic accident insurance. The company has not ruled on the fact so far.

According to Andina, members of the National Police and local firefighters are working to transfer an as yet undetermined number of injured to hospitals in Talara.

The Archbishopric of Piura also regretted the accident and offered its condolences to the families of the deceased.

This is not the first fatal accident on this highway. In 2020, a bus covering the same route overturned, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 20. Most of the deceased were Ecuadorians, fans of the Barcelona SC soccer club who were returning from Lima after a game.