Passenger bus accident in central Peru kills Six

LIMA, PERU (BNO NEWS) -- At least six people were killed and dozens of others injured after a violent head-on crash involving a passenger bus in central Peru, local authorities said Wednesday.

The accident took place on Wednesday afternoon at around 1 p.m. local time on the 148 kilometer marker of the Central Highway located in the district of Morococha in Peru's region of Junin. A passenger bus was crashed into head-on by a trailer truck loaded with petroleum.

According to preliminary investigations, the bus, operated by the Santa Ana transport company which was traveling from Mount Pasco toward Lima, the country's capital, was crashed into when the speeding truck switched lanes.

The driver of the bus was caught by surprise and both vehicles crashed head-on before catching fire quickly. Passengers were forced to escape through the bus' windows.

The exact number of passengers was uncertain. The transport company said the bus took off with 60 passengers, but more could have been picked up on its way toward Lima.

The Provincial Attorney General's Office confirmed that among the six killed were both drivers, as well as the bus' co-driver. In addition, at least 48 others were reported injured.

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