13 killed in Peru bus crash

At least 13 people were killed and 12 others injured when a bus they were travelling in plunged into a 100-metre-deep ravine in southern Peru, the EFE news agency reported on Tuesday.

The accident occurred in the town of Jalhua when the driver of the bus lost control of the vehicle at a narrow curve, the police said.

Twelve people died at the scene of the accident and another succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a nearby clinic.

The bus was heading from the city of Arequipa, located more than 1,000 km south of Lima, to the town of Orcopampa.

According to police figures, 391 people have been killed and 2,777 injured in 930 road accidents in the South American country in the first half of this year.

The ombudsman's office says there are "profound weaknesses" in the government's ability to prevent traffic accidents.

Last year, 800 people died and 5,000 others were injured in some 2,000 road accidents.