At least 10 people were killed, including four children, and some 20 injured after a school bus crashed near the capital of Peru, local RPP radio station reported.
The bus carrying about 30 passengers swerved from a road on Thursday and plunged into a 200 meters (656 feet) deep ravine turning over several times near the town of Matucana about 70 km (43 miles) to the northeast of Peru.
The radio reported that four children, a driver, his assistance and four other adults, including a pregnant woman, were killed in the crash. Some 20 people, most of them are children between 6 and 10 years of age, were hospitalized with severe injuries.
According to preliminary investigation results, the driver of the bus tried to avoid a collision with a truck, which suddenly appeared from a blind turn moving in the oncoming lane. The bus’ driver turned sharply to the right but lost control and the vehicle plunged into the ravine.
Poor roads, old vehicles, and drivers who illegally buy driving licenses are often blamed for traffic accidents in Peru. According to official statistics, traffic accidents claim the lives of over 3,000 people annually, with some 50,000 receiving injuries.
Accidents also put additional strain on the country's economy, inflicting economic losses of about $1 billion annually.
