At least 23 people died and more than a dozen were injured after a bus plunged off a mountain road in northern Peru on Sunday night.

The accident occurred in the Cajamarca region, known for its treacherous Andean terrain.

Local authorities report that the bus lost control on a potholed dirt road before falling into a 200-meter (650-foot) deep ravine. The wreckage landed near a river, where some passengers were unfortunately swept away by the current.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with firefighters and emergency workers attending to the scene. The exact number of casualties and injured remains unclear due to the ongoing operation.

Jaime Herrera, a local official, confirmed that the Celendin municipality declared 48 hours of mourning following the tragedy. Anxious families gathered at a nearby police station, desperately waiting for news about their loved ones.

Deadly road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Peru, often attributed to speeding, poor road conditions, inadequate signage, and weak enforcement of traffic regulations. With over 3,100 traffic fatalities recorded last year alone, the incident highlights the critical need for improved road safety measures in the country. (ILKHA)