4 killed, 33 injured after truck plunges off road in southern Peru

September 29

 

At least four people were killed and 33 injured when the truck they were riding in skidded off a highway and plunged into a ravine in southern Peru's Cusco region, local media reported Wednesday.

 

The accident occurred at about 7 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) Tuesday on the road linking the farming community of Choquecancha with the town of Lares, in Calca province, according to state news agency Andina.

 

The passengers were on their way to the campaign closing event of a candidate from the Peru Libre party, in the lead-up to the Oct. 2 regional elections.

 

The fatalities include two women and two men, and the injuries ranged "from serious to slight," the sub-prefect of Lares, Aurelio Yupanqui Limache, told Radio Programas del Peru.

 

The rescue and evacuation of the injured continued until the early hours of Wednesday morning, with the help of the National Police.

 

According to Yupanqui, all campaign closing events were suspended in the district where the accident occurred.

 

xinhua