'Little Hell' gorge crash kills 20 in Peru

LIMA, Peru - A bus plunged into a river gorge on a stretch of road known as "Little Hell" in Peru's central Andes yesterday, killing at least 20 people and injuring 15, local authorities said.

The bus was carrying farmers and traders along the winding Central Highway 90km east of Lima and tumbled into the river as it turned a tight corner.

"We've got 20 people confirmed dead at the moment... Firefighters are in the middle of the rescue effort. There could be more dead," a local town hall spokesman said.

Hundreds of people die in bus crashes every year in Peru because of perilous roads, poorly maintained vehicles and bad judgment by drivers in treacherous weather conditions.

At least 32 people died in bus crashes in October, according to local transit police data.

- REUTERS