At least 23 people have lost their lives and over a dozen others have been injured in a devastating bus crash in Peru's Andes mountains, according to the country's interior ministry. The incident occurred in the Ayacucho region, located in the south-central Andes.

Peruvian police have initiated a search-and-rescue operation following the tragedy, as emergency crews face difficulties in reaching the crash site due to the challenging terrain. The ministry has confirmed that thirteen injured individuals have already been evacuated from the scene.

Jhonny Rolando Valderrama, the head of a highway protection division, disclosed to RPP radio that the accident took place on the Los Libertadores highway. The bus, carrying more than 40 passengers, was en route from the capital city of Lima to Ayacucho when it careened off a cliff, plunging roughly 200 meters (656 feet) to the ground in the early hours of the morning.

Valderrama highlighted the challenges faced by emergency services in accessing the area. Furthermore, an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash. Pictures shared on social media and by Peruvian news outlets depict a damaged bus lying on its side, surrounded by debris in a grassy area.

Tragically, fatal bus crashes are not uncommon on Peru's perilous mountain roads. Just last month, twenty-four individuals lost their lives when a bus veered off a mountain road near Huancavelica, northwest of the Ayacucho region. In the previous year alone, Peru witnessed over 87,000 crashes resulting in more than 3,130 deaths.

While the cause of this latest tragedy remains unknown, official data indicates that human factors, such as driver incompetence or fatigue, contribute to seventy percent of accidents in Peru. As authorities continue their investigation, it is hoped that necessary measures will be taken to improve road safety and prevent future disasters on the country's mountainous routes.