Bus pile-up death toll climbs to 40 in central Peru

The death toll of a three-bus pile- up in central Peru on Monday climbed to 40, with another 80 injured, the Ministry of Health announced.
As many as 31 people died on site, and nine others died while being treated at different area hospitals, the ministry said.
Of the injured, 10 were in serious condition due to multiple wounds sustained, including an infant. All 10 were airlifted by two helicopters for treatment in Peru's capital Lima.
The accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time (0830 GMT) on the Pan American Highway near the city of Huarmey, Ancash Region, about 300 km north of Lima.
Rescue efforts were completed, with the wounded dispatched to different area hospitals, the ministry said, adding it had declared a "red alert" for the town nearest the accident site since the large number of wounded had overburdened local medical facilities.
Initial reports from the highway police said one of the buses was traveling north when it changed lanes and collided head on with another bus heading south. Almost simultaneously, a third bus collided with a refrigerated truck at the same spot.
According to World Health Organization, Peru's traffic accident death rates are the highest in the world. Over 1,400 people were killed in road accidents in the first half of 2014.
Poor road and motor conditions, drunk driving and speeding are among the main reasons.