A devastating bus accident in southern Peru has claimed at least 37 lives and left 18 others injured after a double-decker vehicle plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region. The crash occurred early Wednesday near Ocoña in Camaná province when the bus, carrying around 60 passengers from Chala to Arequipa, collided head-on with a Toyota Hilux pickup truck on the Pan-American South Highway.

The bus veered off the road and fell more than 200 meters into a ravine, resulting in a large-scale emergency response. Authorities confirmed that at least 25 survivors were hospitalized, with three individuals in critical condition, while rescue teams worked to retrieve victims from the treacherous terrain.

Peruvian authorities detained 35-year-old truck driver Henry Apaclla Ñaupari after he tested positive for alcohol. Investigations are ongoing to determine contributing factors, including vehicle conditions, road safety, and potential human error.

The tragedy comes amid a broader road safety crisis in Peru, which claimed over 3,000 lives in 2024. Experts note that mountainous highways, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and high rates of alcohol-impaired driving continue to make travel in the Andes particularly hazardous.

This latest incident underscores the urgent need for improved traffic regulations, stricter enforcement of safety standards, and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar disasters in the future. Families of victims are mourning, and authorities are working to provide support while pursuing a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash.